FBI Classifies Old Dominion University Shooting as Act of Terrorism; Heroic ROTC Students Subdue and Kill ISIS-Linked Gunman
By Hotspotnews
Norfolk, Virginia – March 13, 2026 – Authorities have released more details on the deadly shooting at Old Dominion University (ODU) that occurred Thursday morning, March 12, confirming the incident is being fully investigated as an act of terrorism. The attack claimed the life of one instructor and left two others critically wounded before the gunman was stopped by students.
The shooter has been identified as **Mohamed Bailor Jalloh**, 36, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Sierra Leone and a former member of the Virginia Army National Guard. Jalloh had a documented history of radicalization: In 2016, he pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS/ISIL). He admitted to multiple overseas travel attempts to join the terrorist group, including boarding a truck toward ISIS-controlled territory before turning back. Sentenced to approximately 11–12 years in prison (with some reports citing 11 years plus supervised release), he served about seven to eight years and was released in late 2024, specifically December 2024 according to multiple sources.
The attack unfolded around 10:43–10:49 a.m. in a classroom inside **Constant Hall**, an academic building associated with ODU’s College of Business and used for ROTC-related sessions. Witnesses and law enforcement sources report that Jalloh entered the room, asked if it was an ROTC class, and upon confirmation, shouted **”Allahu Akbar”** before opening fire. He fatally shot **Lt. Col. Brandon Shah** (U.S. Army, retired), a decorated combat veteran, ODU alumnus, professor of military science, and head of the university’s Army ROTC program. Shah, a native Virginian who had served multiple tours in the Middle East, was specifically targeted and later died at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Two other individuals—ROTC cadets or participants in the class—were wounded and remain in critical condition, with no new updates on their status as of early Friday morning.
In a remarkable display of heroism, ROTC students in the classroom immediately intervened. FBI officials, including **Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans** of the Norfolk field office, described their actions as showing “**extreme bravery and courage**.” The students physically subdued Jalloh, disarmed him, and ultimately killed him through hand-to-hand confrontation—rendering him “no longer alive,” as Evans phrased it during a Thursday evening news conference. Reports indicate the shooter was not shot by police or firearms; instead, students terminated the threat directly, with some accounts suggesting one used a knife to inflict fatal wounds and prevent further casualties. **FBI Director Kash Patel** echoed this praise on social media, stating the students’ quick actions, combined with law enforcement’s rapid response, “undoubtedly saved lives.”
The FBI’s **Joint Terrorism Task Force** is leading the investigation in close coordination with local Norfolk police and other agencies. Agents executed search warrants at Jalloh’s residence in Sterling, Virginia (Loudoun County area), overnight into Friday morning as part of efforts to examine his motives, post-release activities, online presence, travel history, and any potential connections or accomplices. No evidence of additional suspects or an ongoing threat has emerged, and the campus was declared safe shortly after the incident.
ODU President Brian O. Hemphill issued a statement expressing profound grief over the tragedy and confirming that classes and operations on the main campus remain canceled. Counseling and support services are available for the community. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger publicly identified Shah as the fallen victim and highlighted his service, while state officials continue to monitor developments.
This event has intensified national conversations on campus security, the monitoring and rehabilitation of individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses, deradicalization challenges, and the life-saving potential of armed or prepared citizens in active-threat scenarios. Experts have drawn parallels to past incidents like the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, which Jalloh reportedly aspired to emulate.
The ODU community, along with the broader public, continues to mourn Lt. Col. Shah and pray for the recovery of the injured. Tributes emphasize his legacy as an educator and veteran while celebrating the extraordinary courage of the ROTC students who ended the attack.
The investigation remains active, with authorities promising further updates as more information becomes available. For now, the focus remains on supporting victims’ families and ensuring no additional risks exist.