On March 12, 2026, a shooting occurred at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. The shooting happened around 11 AM on Thursday in a classroom at the university. The attack killed one person, Lt.
Col. Brandon Shah, an instructor, and two ROTC students were injured. Within about an hour of the shooting, the campus was declared safe, and Old Dominion University canceled classes and suspended operations after the incident.
The gunman was Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a 36-year-old man. Jalloh was a former member of the Army National Guard. He had a prior conviction for attempting to aid the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) and was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2016/2017.
Jalloh was released from federal custody in December 2024 and was on supervised release at the time of the attack. Jalloh was taking online classes at Old Dominion University at the time of the shooting. During the attack, Jalloh shouted 'Allahu Akbar'.
He also asked if the classroom was an ROTC class before opening fire. ROTC students subdued and killed Jalloh during the confrontation. Lt.
Col. Brandon Shah lunged at Jalloh to protect the students. The FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism.
Kenya Chapman was charged federally for selling a gun to Jalloh illegally. Jalloh used a gun with an obliterated serial number. Jalloh's connection to the university adds a layer of complexity to the incident, as he was taking online classes at Old Dominion University at the time of the shooting.
The campus response included canceling classes and suspending operations. On Wednesday night, two people were shot and killed in a parking lot at Old Dominion University, unrelated to the Thursday shooting. The two victims from Wednesday's shooting are not ODU students.
One injured victim from the Thursday shooting has life-threatening or critical injuries, while the other has been discharged from the hospital. Unresolved questions persist about Jalloh's death and legal implications. Further unanswered questions involve gun acquisition and security measures.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about campus safety and the monitoring of individuals with extremist backgrounds. Authorities continue to probe how Jalloh obtained the weapon despite his criminal record and supervised release status. The university community remains shaken by the violence, with counseling services offered to students and staff.
The FBI's terrorism investigation is expected to delve into Jalloh's motivations and any potential connections to broader networks. The heroism of the ROTC students and Lt. Col.
Shah has been widely praised, with calls for recognition of their actions. As the investigation unfolds, more details may emerge about the sequence of events and the response protocols in place.