Marine veteran stops Citibank campus shooter in Florida

John Fraley, a security officer and Marine veteran, stopped an active shooter at a Citibank Center campus in Brandon, Florida, on Wednesday morning. His intervention ended the violence after the gunman had already killed one employee.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister identified Fraley as the individual who confronted the suspect. Chronister explained that Citibank permits former law enforcement and military personnel with proper training to carry handguns on duty. Because of his service background, Fraley was authorized to carry a firearm at the time of the incident.

The attack began after 35-year-old Jacob Pearson received a court summons over a $2,500 delinquent credit card debt. Pearson called an attorney's office handling collections for the bank around 9 a.m. and made threats before driving from his Orlando home to the Brandon campus. He crashed through a gate and entered the courtyard carrying a rifle.

Pearson shot 41-year-old learning advisor LeAnne Selmon three times. After his rifle malfunctioned, he returned to his sedan to retrieve a handgun. He then walked back to Selmon and shot her a fourth time as she attempted to crawl away. Sheriff Chronister stated that Pearson intended to hunt and kill anyone he could find.

Fraley positioned himself inside a men's restroom in the cafeteria area. When Pearson entered the space, Fraley opened fire and struck the suspect five times. Chronister noted that Fraley chose to take a tactical position rather than retreat, placing his own safety at risk to protect other workers.

Pearson, who was married and had a seven-year-old child, was transported to Tampa General Hospital. He died from his injuries. Citibank's head of security, a retired Secret Service agent, had initiated safety measures after hearing the phone threats, including requesting police welfare checks and county deputies at the site.