John Fraley, a security officer and Marine veteran, was identified on Thursday as the hero who stopped an active shooter at a Citibank Center campus in Florida. The incident occurred after 35-year-old Jacob Pearson drove onto the grounds in Brandon and began targeting employees in a rage over a delinquent credit card bill, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister.
During a press briefing, Sheriff Chronister detailed how Fraley confronted Pearson inside the corporate facility just after the gunman had shot and killed a female employee. Chronister noted that Fraley was authorized to carry a firearm due to his background in the military. The sheriff explained that Citibank allows former law enforcement and military personnel with proper training to carry handguns while on duty.
Chronister emphasized that Fraley had the option to retreat and protect his own life but instead chose to take a tactical position when he saw the suspect approaching. This decision placed his own safety at risk in order to prevent the shooter from harming additional people. The sheriff described the officer's actions as heroic, stating that Fraley ended the suspect's reign of terror before it could spread further.
The violence stemmed from a $2,500 delinquent debt owed to Citibank. Pearson became agitated after receiving a court summons regarding the debt. Around 9 a.m. on Wednesday, he called an attorney's office contracted by the bank for collections services. He allegedly made violent threats over the phone before leaving his home in Orlando. Fox 13 reported that he warned the office not to cancel the court case unless he went over with his AR-15 rifle, bulletproof vest, and insanity.
Citibank's head of security, a retired Secret Service agent, recognized the severity of the threat based on the phone call. Proactive safety measures were initiated, including a request for a welfare check from the Orlando Police Department and a request for Hillsborough County deputies to be present on campus. Despite these precautions, Pearson drove to the Brandon campus and crashed through a gate into the courtyard where employees were gathered.
Upon arriving, Pearson exited his sedan carrying a rifle. He immediately shot 41-year-old learning advisor LeAnne Selmon three times. As he fired, his rifle began to malfunction. The sheriff said Pearson returned to his vehicle to retrieve a handgun. He then walked back to Selmon, who was trying to crawl away, and shot her again to ensure she was dead.
Sheriff Chronister stated that Pearson was intent on hunting and killing any human being he could find. After the initial shooting, Pearson walked into a cafeteria to look for more victims. It was then that he encountered Fraley. The security officer took a tactical position inside a men's restroom and opened fire, striking Pearson five times.
Pearson, who was married and had a seven-year-old child, was transported to Tampa General Hospital for medical care. He later died from his injuries. The incident highlights the critical role played by trained security personnel in corporate environments during high-stress emergencies.
