Gunman in fatal Old Dominion University shooting ID’d as convicted ISIS supporter, officials say
Gunman in Fatal Old Dominion University Shooting Identified as Convicted ISIS Supporter
Shooting Incident and Immediate Response
On Thursday, a violent shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, resulted in one fatality and two injuries. The perpetrator, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, 36, from Sterling, Virginia, was confirmed as a former Army National Guard member with ties to the Islamic State. Law enforcement sources informed NBC News that Jalloh had been previously convicted of aiding ISIS, and he was also killed during the attack.
“A group of brave students who stepped in and subdued” the gunman likely prevented additional casualties, stated FBI Director Kash Patel on X. The incident is being treated as a potential act of terrorism.
Victims and On-Site Details
ODU Police Chief Garrett Shelton reported that two injured individuals were transported to the hospital and are currently in stable condition. A third person, who self-referred to medical care, remains under investigation. Shelton noted that the deceased victim’s family is being contacted, though identities of all three have not yet been disclosed.
Two of the injured are associated with the university’s ROTC program, as reported by WAVY, a local NBC affiliate. The U.S. Army Cadet Command confirmed the shooting of ROTC members and their subsequent hospitalization. The university issued an emergency alert at 10:48 a.m., shortly before the attack began at approximately 10:49 a.m. in Constant Hall.
Previous Conviction and Motive
Jalloh’s history with terrorism dates back to 2016, when he attempted to procure an AK-47 in North Carolina. The gun seller declined the purchase, prompting Jalloh to acquire an AR-15 from a local store on July 2, 2016. He was arrested the following day and had earlier sought to fund members of the Islamic State, according to federal records.
In his 2017 sentencing, Jalloh admitted to sending gift card codes meant for ISIS to an undercover FBI agent, believing the recipient to be an ISIS operative. While prosecutors had requested a 20-year sentence, the defense highlighted his “gullibility” and “lack of sophistication” during the trial.
Prison Release and Current Status
Bureau of Prison documents indicate that Jalloh was released in 2024, having served 11 years of an 11-year sentence for material support to a foreign terrorist group. Federal law requires defendants to complete at least 85% of their term, even with good behavior credits.
Following the shooting, the university declared the threat neutralized by 11:30 a.m. and urged individuals to avoid the affected area. Classes on the main campus were suspended for the remainder of the day, with the university closing entirely on Friday.
State and Local Support
Gov. Abigail Spanberger expressed concern over the event, stating her administration was coordinating with local emergency teams to assist the university. Norfolk Public Schools confirmed that students from nearly all high schools in the district were present on ODU’s campus during the attack.
University President Brian O. Hemphill praised the rapid response of law enforcement, emphasizing the institution’s ongoing commitment to ensuring safety for students and staff. “We take this responsibility very seriously and remain vigilant in our efforts,” he said, following the incident.
