Police responded to a Tampa-area Citibank campus earlier this morning following reports of an active shooter.
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Harrowing footage shared online showed apparently evacuated bystanders outside the Citibank Center in Tampa's Sabal Park Office Development after police arrived. A very large police presence was also apparent in the footage.
An earlier emergency alert stated, "If you are in or near the area, SHELTER IN PLACE immediately. Stay indoors, lock doors, and stay away from windows," according to FOX News.
"Please avoid the area of Queens Palm Drive and Falkenburg Road until further notice. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as crews work in the area," HCSO urged.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister later confirmed a suspect was taken into custody. Sheriff Chronister returned shortly after with a grim update.
"UPDATE: Citibank Center Scene... The suspect involved is deceased," he wrote on X. The Sheriff's office later confirmed that one victim also died during the active shooter incident. However, the exact circumstances of the suspect's and victim's deaths haven't been released.
"We are aware of an incident impacting our site in Tampa, Florida, and are coordinating with law enforcement," Citi told CNN in a statement.
The Citibank Campus Reportedly Includes a Daycare Center
Meanwhile, the campus included a daycare center, FOX 13 Tampa Bay reported. One parent, Doug Merritt, reported that his son called, claiming he'd fled the area after the active shooter incident.
"He was very close to it," the distressed father told The Associated Press. "He left all this stuff where he was at, and he was able to get out of there."
Merritt added that poor internet service in the area led to him being left in the dark for over an hour as the area was secured by police.
"I wanted him to get to safety," Merritt said. "I was upset."
According to The New York Post, citing scanner traffic, a grey vehicle slammed into the Citi Bank campus before the shooting began. The shooter carried a shotgun and a handgun, per the outlet. The Post added that the shooter was believed to be targeting a vendor at the facility rather than Citibank employees.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department SWAT team responded, sweeping the campus room by room after everyone was evacuated.
The Tampa region employs over 10,000 Citi employees.
