Orlando man who killed Citibank worker in Tampa had prior warning, police say
Deputies said Jacob Pearson was flagged for a welfare check hours before he drove 90 miles to the Florida bank where he shot a 41-year-old employee.
By Peter Graham ·
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister identified Jacob Pearson, 35, as the Orlando resident who killed a Citibank employee in Tampa on Wednesday. Pearson shot the 41-year-old woman after driving approximately 90 miles from his apartment in Orlando. A Citibank security guard shot Pearson five times, ending the attack before he could harm more people.
Deputies said Pearson called a law firm contracted by the bank on the morning of the shooting. He threatened to arrive with an AR-15 rifle unless his court date was canceled. The bank’s head of security, a retired Secret Service agent, contacted the Orlando Police Department to request a welfare check at Pearson’s residence. The agent told officers the threat sounded like something a sane person would not say.
Orlando officers went to Pearson’s apartment complex but found he had already left. Pearson’s wife told officers he seemed angry but did not know his destination. By noon, Pearson crashed through a gate at the Tampa Citibank building. He shot the employee, then grabbed a second gun and shot her again while she crawled away.
Sheriff Chronister said Pearson was intent on hunting and killing anyone he could find. The sheriff credited the security guard with preventing a mass shooting. Chronister noted that while one life was lost, the outcome could have been much worse. Investigators said Pearson had no criminal record and had recently received a summons for a February court date regarding a $2,500 debt.
Neighbors at Pearson’s Orlando apartment complex said they were stunned by the news. Kadejah Hopkins, a nearby resident, had her son outside when police swarmed the area on Wednesday night. She locked her doors and did not learn the reason until Thursday afternoon. Hopkins said the incident served as a reminder that danger can be hard to spot in a community. She noted that people often walk past strangers without knowing their backgrounds.
Pearson’s wife did not respond to messages from reporters. Neighbors described him as a quiet family man who was often seen with his young daughter. One neighbor who interacted with him believed he was a nice person. Pearson lived in the apartment with his wife and daughter until Wednesday morning.
Investigators continue to review the sequence of events leading to the shooting. The bank confirmed the employee’s identity and is supporting her family. The security guard remains on duty. Pearson’s body was transported to the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s office. No other injuries were reported at the Tampa location.
