Shooter drove 90 miles to Citibank campus over unpaid credit card

Jacob Pearson arrived at Citibank’s Tampa campus on Wednesday with a rifle and 90 rounds of ammunition, intent on settling a $2,500 credit card dispute. The 35-year-old Orlando resident killed one employee before a security guard shot him five times, ending the attack that left four others with minor injuries.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister stated that Pearson targeted the complex specifically because of a collection lawsuit filed against him in October. Court records show Citibank sued Pearson on Oct. 23 for $2,556.40 in debt, with a bill dated July 4. The court had set a hearing for Feb. 15.

Pearson’s motivation became clear when he called a Citibank-affiliated attorney about three hours before the shooting. He warned the lawyer to cancel the hearing or he would arrive with an AR-15 and a bulletproof vest. Chronister said Pearson had no prior criminal record, and his father, Richard Pearson, told the Associated Press he had no indication his son was capable of such violence.

The attack began when Pearson crashed his car through a campus fence and drove into a courtyard where roughly 3,200 employees were working. He opened fire on Leanne Selman, a 41-year-old human resources manager who had worked for the bank for nine years. Her rifle jammed after three shots, so Pearson switched to a handgun and shot Selman again. She died from the wounds.

Sheriff Chronister noted that Selman had zero connection to the shooter. Pearson then entered the building and walked through a cafeteria. A member of Citibank’s armed security team, an executive, shot Pearson five times. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. Only 15 of his 90 rounds were fired before he was stopped.

Citigroup spokesman Ed Skyler described Selman as a beloved employee. The company said it was not demanding staff return to the Tampa office on Monday, allowing them to work remotely to process the trauma. Pearson’s father said they last spoke several weeks ago and did not discuss finances.

Deputies were already at the scene providing extra security when Pearson opened fire, following a report of the threat from the attorney. Investigators finished gathering evidence at the complex by early Thursday.