A $2,500 debt allegedly sparked a terrifying attack at a Citibank in Tampa, Florida .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As terrified workers scrambled to escape, a gunman armed with a rifle and ammunition moved through the property, seemingly intent on killing anyone in his path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But one man refused to run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A routine workday on Wednesday turned into a nightmare when an armed gunman stormed a Citibank office in Tampa, Florida. Employees were suddenly forced to run for their lives as shots rang out across the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The gunman was later identified by police as 35-year-old Jacob Pearson, who was already on law enforcement\u2019s radar before the attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just hours earlier, Pearson had called an attorney and threatened to shoot up the offices unless a court hearing was canceled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, Pearson told a legal worker:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want to go over there with my AR-15, my bulletproof vest and my insanity,\u201d unless the hearing was canceled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pearson then drove from Orlando to the Citibank location in Tampa, where approximately 3,200 people work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Wednesday morning, he allegedly crashed his vehicle through a fence and drove into a courtyard where employees were spending their lunch break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He then got out of the car carrying a rifle and a large amount of ammunition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the first people he encountered was 41-year-old Leann Selman, whom he shot. She later died from her injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pearson then returned to his vehicle to retrieve a handgun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheriff Chronister confirmed that the gunman had approximately 90 rounds of ammunition and fired 15 shots before his rifle jammed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He described the terrifying nature of the attack, saying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe was there intent on one purpose, and that purpose was to hunt any human being he could find and kill them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
David Dzien, a Citibank vice president, was returning from lunch when he saw the gunman crash through a fence and heard what he later realized was gunfire. As employees screamed and ran for safety, he rushed back inside and escaped through a fire exit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can still hear the particular type of scream,\u201d he said . \u201cAnd I\u2019m still trying to process it, frankly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As panic spread across the property and thousands of employees were evacuated, one security guard made a decision that would prove crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
John Fraley, a former Marine working as part of Citibank\u2019s security team, moved toward the danger rather than away from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now, dramatic video footage reveals how he confronted the armed gunman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fraley positioned himself inside a men\u2019s restroom, using the location to shield himself while preparing to stop the attacker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From there, he confronted Pearson and helped bring the terrifying attack to an end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sheriff later praised Fraley\u2019s courage, making it clear just how important his actions had been.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJohn Fraley confronted this suspect and is a hero, plain and simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn a moment when most people would run away from danger, this guard ran toward it and stopped the threat within minutes of the first shots being fired,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith more than 3,200 people on that campus, there is no doubt that these quick and courageous actions saved lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are deeply grateful to the entire Citibank security team for their training, their preparedness, and their bravery under unimaginable pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite Fraley\u2019s extraordinary actions, the attack had already claimed a life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leann Selman, 41, was among the people Pearson encountered outside the building. She was pronounced dead at the scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She had worked in Citibank\u2019s human resources department for nine years. That morning, she had gone to work just like any other day, never knowing it would be her last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sheriff Chronister expressed his condolences, saying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur hearts are broken for Selman\u2019s family, friends, and coworkers. She went to work yesterday like any other day and never came home,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is no justification for this cowardly act of senseless violence that has left a family and a community heartbroken.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Four other people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. All have since been released.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the hundreds of employees and others caught up in the terrifying ordeal, the quick response of the security team made an enormous difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And for one woman\u2019s loved ones, the tragedy is a reminder of the devastating cost of that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n