ROTC Cadets Neutralize Gunman After Deadly Shooting at Old Dominion University
A gunman opened fire in a classroom at Old Dominion University on Thursday, resulting in one fatality and two injuries. The shooter, identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Army National Guard member, was subdued and killed by ROTC students on the scene, according to law enforcement officials.
Witnesses reported that Jalloh shouted “Allahu Akbar” before the attack. Dominique Evans, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Norfolk field office, praised the ROTC students for their “extreme bravery and courage,” stating they prevented further casualties by stopping Jalloh. “They rendered him no longer alive,” Evans remarked, confirming that he was not shot but withholding additional details about his death.
The FBI is treating the incident as an act of terrorism. Director Kash Patel indicated that Jalloh had aspirations to execute a terrorist attack reminiscent of the 2009 Fort Hood shootings. Jalloh had previously pleaded guilty to attempting to support the Islamic State and was sentenced to 11 years in prison, released from federal custody in December 2024.
Ashraf Nubani, Jalloh’s attorney during his 2016 case, expressed shock at the events, stating he had no recent contact with his client. “Any loss of life is tragic,” he said, emphasizing that violence against innocents contradicts Islamic teachings.
Fatmatu Jalloh, the shooter’s sister, expressed confusion and distress over her brother’s actions. “I have no idea what is going on,” she stated, revealing she last saw him two days prior.
Old Dominion University Police Chief Garrett Shelton reported that less than ten minutes elapsed from the initial call about the shooting to the confirmation of the shooter’s death. The exact cause of Jalloh's death remains under investigation, and it is unclear if law enforcement fired any shots during the incident.
Two of the injured individuals were identified as members of the Army ROTC program at ODU. The ROTC program allows students to receive scholarships while training to become commissioned officers in the military.
Victim Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, who died in the shooting, was a former ROTC student at ODU and had returned as a leader for the program. He had served as a helicopter pilot in various combat zones.
Jalloh, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Sierra Leone, served in the Virginia Army National Guard from 2009 until his honorable discharge in 2015. His radicalization reportedly began after exposure to extremist ideologies.
In a 2016 FBI affidavit, Jalloh expressed intentions to carry out an attack similar to the Fort Hood incident. He attempted to donate money to the Islamic State and sought to purchase firearms for an attack but was thwarted by law enforcement.
Following his arrest, prosecutors highlighted Jalloh's commitment to extremist ideologies in their sentencing memorandum. He received an 11-year sentence with conditions for supervised release and participation in treatment programs.
As of Thursday, one of the hospitalized victims remains in critical condition while the other has been treated and released. In response to the shooting, Old Dominion University canceled classes and suspended operations through Friday.
University President Brian Hemphill expressed gratitude for the rapid emergency response and extended condolences to those affected by the tragedy. ODU serves approximately 24,000 students, with nearly 30% affiliated with military service, situated near Naval Station Norfolk.
This incident marks a significant moment for the university community as they navigate the aftermath of this violent act.
