Sheriff confirms two dead at Tampa Citibank campus after active threat response

Workers at the Citibank complex in suburban Tampa faced a sudden evacuation Wednesday afternoon after a shooting killed two people. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported that a suspect and one other individual died at the site. Law enforcement officers surrounded the campus to manage the scene, while television footage captured long lines of employees exiting the office buildings.

The incident occurred at a sprawling business campus that spans four three-story structures. Thousands of Citibank employees work within these buildings. Sheriff Chad Chronister stated on the social platform X that authorities responded to an active threat and were in the process of clearing the building. He described the event as a targeted incident. It was not immediately clear if additional people sustained injuries during the event.

Citigroup issued a statement acknowledging awareness of the incident. The company confirmed it was cooperating with local authorities to investigate the situation. The campus serves as a major hub for the bank’s regional operations, making the disruption a significant logistical challenge for staff and management alike.

Doug Merritt spoke with The Associated Press after receiving a panicked call from his son. His son was inside the complex when gunshots were heard. Merritt said his son fled the area immediately, leaving behind his belongings to reach safety. “He was very close to it,” Merritt said. “He left all this stuff where he was at and he was able to get out of there.”

Merritt described the next hour as a period of intense uncertainty. He struggled to maintain contact with his son due to a poor internet connection. “I wanted him to get to safety,” Merritt said. “I was upset.”

Authorities continued to secure the perimeter of the four-building campus as of Wednesday afternoon. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office remained on site to complete its sweep of the facilities.