Gunman Opens Fire at Old Dominion University, Subdued by ROTC Students
A former member of the Army National Guard, who had previously served an eight-year prison sentence for attempting to support the Islamic State, initiated a shooting at Virginia’s Old Dominion University on Thursday. The gunman, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, was subdued and killed by ROTC students, preventing further casualties, according to authorities.
The incident resulted in one fatality and two injuries. The FBI confirmed that Jalloh shouted “Allahu Akbar” before opening fire. Dominique Evans, the special agent in charge at the FBI’s Norfolk field office, praised the ROTC students for their “extreme bravery and courage” in stopping the shooter.
The FBI’s Director, Kash Patel, announced on social media that the shooting is being investigated as a terrorist act.
Background on Mohamed Bailor Jalloh
Jalloh, who had expressed aspirations to carry out a terrorist attack similar to the 2009 Fort Hood shootings, pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to aid the Islamic State. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison but was released early and was on supervised release at the time of the attack.
His former attorney, Ashraf Nubani, stated he had no recent contact with Jalloh and described the violence as contrary to Islamic teachings. Jalloh’s sister, Fatmatu Jalloh, expressed her lack of knowledge regarding the incident, having last seen her brother two days prior.
Incident Timeline and Response
Old Dominion University Police Chief Garrett Shelton reported that less than ten minutes elapsed between the initial shooting report and the confirmation of the shooter’s death. The exact cause of Jalloh’s death remains undetermined, and it is unclear if any officers discharged their weapons.
Lt. Col. Jimmy Delongchamp confirmed that two of the individuals shot were part of the Army ROTC program at the university. Voorhees University identified the deceased victim as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a former ROTC student at Old Dominion and a helicopter pilot in the Army.
Jalloh’s Military Background and Radicalization
Jalloh, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Sierra Leone, served in the Virginia Army National Guard from 2009 until his honorable discharge in 2015. He reportedly left the military after being influenced by radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.
In 2016, Jalloh attempted to purchase weapons and donate money to the Islamic State, actions intercepted by an FBI sting operation. He later expressed remorse in court, rejecting terrorism and the Islamic State.
Impact on Old Dominion University
Following the violence, one of the injured remains in critical condition, while the other has been released from medical care. The university canceled classes and suspended operations through Friday, as the community grapples with the aftermath of the attack.
Old Dominion University President Brian Hemphill conveyed his appreciation for the swift response by emergency personnel and extended his sympathies to those affected. The institution, located in Norfolk, enrolls approximately 24,000 students, with nearly 30% having military affiliations.
