Two killed in Tampa bank shooting

Two people, including the suspect, died in a shooting Wednesday at a Citibank business complex in Tampa, Florida. The incident occurred at a sprawling campus that employs thousands of workers in the suburban area. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office officials confirmed the deaths and stated that more than 360 deputies responded to the scene.

Sheriff Chad Chronister described the event as a targeted incident in a post on the social platform X. His office reported that it had responded to an active threat and was in the process of clearing the buildings. Video footage from local television stations showed long lines of employees exiting the office structures as officers conducted the search.

Radio traffic from responding officers described a floor-by-floor sweep of the four three-story office buildings. Law enforcement personnel found individuals sheltering in locked rooms and closets. Officers carefully escorted these employees out of the buildings and into the parking garage.

Doug Merritt, a father of an employee at the complex, said his son called him after hearing gunshots. Merritt described the moment as startling and noted that his son had fled the area, leaving behind personal items to escape quickly. “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 said he spent about an hour trying to reach his son over a poor internet connection. “I wanted him to get to safety,” he said. “I was upset.” Citigroup issued a statement acknowledging the incident and confirming that the company is cooperating with authorities. It was not immediately known if any other individuals were injured.