A man from Newport News, Virginia, was charged on Friday for selling a stolen firearm to Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, an ex-Army National Guard member, according to federal authorities. Jalloh used the weapon in a deadly shooting at Old Dominion University, resulting in one fatality and two injuries.
Jalloh’s attack occurred a day prior and targeted a classroom primarily attended by active duty servicemembers and ROTC students. According to court documents, Jalloh, who had previously served a prison sentence for attempting to support the Islamic State group, reportedly shouted “Allahu akbar” before opening fire. He was eventually subdued and killed by ROTC students at the scene.
The perpetrator, Jalloh, was enrolled in online classes at Old Dominion University. ROTC students, who participate in college programs while training to become U.S. military officers, were present in the classroom during the attack.
Shooter’s Gun Acquisition
Kenya Chapman, the individual charged for supplying the firearm, confessed in a federal interview to stealing the gun from a car about a year before the incident. He admitted to selling it to Jalloh, who claimed he needed it for protection as a delivery driver. Chapman, unaware of Jalloh’s felony conviction that prohibited him from possessing a firearm, denied any knowledge of the impending attack.
Charged with making a false statement during a firearm purchase and dealing firearms without a license, Chapman’s legal representation has refrained from commenting. U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche commented on social media, stating, “Chapman allegedly stole a firearm and illegally sold it to a convicted terrorist, who murdered a decorated American veteran, and he will finally face the full weight of justice.”
Authorities faced challenges in tracing the stolen firearm due to a partially obliterated serial number. However, phone records revealed communication between Chapman and Jalloh in the days leading up to the shooting.
Chapman had previously been investigated in 2021 for straw purchasing, where someone buys a gun for someone unable to purchase it legally. Despite a warning and an apology letter from Chapman, the U.S. attorney’s office had declined to prosecute at that time.
Details About the Shooter
Jalloh was previously sentenced to 11 years over links to the Islamic State group but was released early from federal custody in December 2024 after completing a drug treatment program. Although such programs typically exclude inmates with terrorism-related offenses, it remains unclear how Jalloh qualified.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed how ROTC students managed to neutralize Jalloh, though it was confirmed that they did not use firearms.
Victim and Community Response
The shooting claimed the life of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a 42-year-old ROTC leader and military professor at Old Dominion, leaving behind a family. He had previously attended the university as an ROTC student and was recognized for his service piloting helicopters in conflict zones.
In remembrance, a close friend, Eddie Flack, paid tribute to Shah on campus, expressing sadness over the incident and emphasizing the need for more love instead of hatred.
