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ROTC Students Kill Gunman, Avenging Their Instructor at Old Dominion University
Students at Old Dominion University subdued a gunman, identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, after he killed ROTC instructor Brandon Shah and injured two others in a shooting being investigated as terrorism.
Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, was fatally wounded, leaving behind a spouse and a child.(Old Dominion University)
A shooting at Old Dominion University on Thursday left one person dead and two others injured after students confronted and disarmed the suspect during the attack, officials said.
Authorities identified the gunman as 36-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, who allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” while opening fire inside a classroom at the Virginia campus. Investigators said a group of students intervened and restrained him before law enforcement arrived.
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Kash Patel said the incident is being treated as a possible act of terrorism and praised the students for preventing additional casualties.
“The shooter is now deceased thanks to a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him actions that undoubtedly saved lives along with the quick response of law enforcement,” Patel wrote on social media.
According to Garrett Shelton, the chief of the university’s police department, Jalloh was declared dead at the scene. Authorities said he was not shot, but officials have not yet explained the exact circumstances that led to his death.
Federal officials said members of the university’s ROTC program were among those who stopped the attacker.
“The brave ROTC members in that room confronted him and restrained him,” said Dominique Evans. “Without their actions, it’s unclear what further harm he might have caused.”
Abigail Spanberger confirmed that the person killed was Brandon Shah, a Lieutenant Colonel who served as an ROTC instructor at the university.
“Lt. Col. Brandon Shah was killed today in his classroom at Old Dominion University,” Spanberger said. “He dedicated his life to serving our nation and guiding others to follow the same path.”
Officials said two additional victims were injured during the shooting. One person was transported to a hospital for treatment, while another sought medical care independently in Virginia Beach. Both were reported to be in stable condition later in the day.
Investigators revealed that Jalloh had previously been convicted in a terrorism-related case. Sources said he was sentenced in 2017 for providing material support to ISIS and was released from custody in 2024.
Jalloh, originally from Sierra Leone, became a naturalized U.S. citizen and previously served with the Virginia National Guard. Authorities said he later left the military after being influenced by online sermons from Anwar al-Awlaki, a deceased figure linked to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
The U.S. Department of Justice previously stated that Jalloh traveled to Nigeria, where he met individuals associated with ISIS and attempted to acquire firearms in both North Carolina and Virginia before his arrest in 2016.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting local law enforcement as the investigation continues.
Following the incident, Old Dominion University suspended classes and campus activities and offered counseling services to members of the university community.
“The safety of our campus community is my top priority,” said Brian Hemphill. “We remain committed to protecting our students, faculty, and staff and maintaining a secure environment for learning and work.”
University officials said support resources will remain available for those affected as authorities continue to investigate the shooting.
Editor’s Note:
This report is based on statements from officials at Old Dominion University, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and state authorities in Virginia. Details regarding the suspect Mohamed Bailor Jalloh and the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation, and information may be updated as authorities release further findings.
