A gunman drove into a Florida office complex and opened fire Wednesday, killing two people at Citibank’s sprawling business campus in suburban Tampa, WIBW reported. Witnesses reported the shooting Wednesday at the complex, CBS News reported.
The attack unfolded at a site where thousands of the banking giant’s employees work across four three-story buildings, CBS News reported. The complex employs thousands in the Tampa area. More than 360 deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office swarmed the campus, and television video showed long lines of workers streaming out of the office buildings.
Deputies Clear Buildings Floor by Floor
Radio traffic from responding officers described an exhaustive search of the complex, with deputies finding people sheltering in locked rooms and closets before carefully escorting them from the buildings and parking garage, CBS News reported. The transmissions were carried on Broadcastify.com.
Sheriff Believes Shooting Was Targeted
“We believe this is a targeted incident,” Sheriff Chad Chronister posted on the social platform X, CBS News reported. It was not immediately known whether anyone else was injured.
Father Waits an Hour for Word From Son
Doug Merritt said his son called him from the Citibank campus after hearing gunshots and fleeing, CBS News reported. Merritt said he was startled when his son called. “He was very close to it,” Merritt told The Associated Press. “He left all this stuff where he was at and he was able to get out of there.” For around an hour, Merritt said, he struggled to reach his son over a bad internet connection, and during that time he did not know whether his son was safe. “I wanted him to get to safety,” he said. “I was upset.”
Citigroup Cooperating With Investigation
Citigroup said in a statement that it was “aware of an incident” at the complex and was cooperating with authorities, according to CBS News.
Injuries and Suspect Identity Remain Unconfirmed
Authorities have not said whether anyone besides the two dead was hurt, and they have not identified the suspect or the other victim. Florida authorities said the two dead included a suspect.
Contributors
Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia. AP journalists Cybele Mayes-Osterman in Chicago, R.J.
More on Citibank
🚨Tampa, Florida active shooter at a citibank.🚨 The shooter apparently drove their car through an outdoor area, exited his car, and killed a woman. He then began approaching a cafeteria, where he was killed by an armed security guard. He also seems to have a prosthetic leg.… pic.twitter.com/pIagZ3VkRF
CITIBANK CENTER UPDATE: This was a tragic situation where a victim was killed by an individual who was intent on killing as many people as possible. Thanks to the brave actions by the security team on-site and more than 365 deputies, this unhinged suspect was stopped before he… pic.twitter.com/p4vIIHmKr4
🚨 Just In: Active shooter at Citibank Center in Tampa right now — massive police & SWAT response, building being evacuated, people running! Avoid the area! Sheriff says it was a targeted incident. Suspect is dead. One victim confirmed dead. Scene is still being cleared.…
Keep reading