Convicted ISIS Supporter Shoots at Old Dominion University, Kills Army Officer

A gunman identified by the FBI as Mohammed Bailor Jalloh opened fire inside a classroom at Old Dominion University’s business school, Constant Hall, killing an Army officer and wounding two students before the shooter was found dead, law enforcement said.

“Man charged for allegedly selling weapon to gunman in Virginia university attack A man has been for allegedly selling a gun to the suspect who opened fire at a US university, killing one person and injuring two others, authorities have said”

BBC

Officers first responded to reports of the shooting inside a classroom and, when they arrived, “found that the gunman was already dead,” university police chief Garrett Shelton told reporters.

BBC

The FBI later named the shooter and multiple sources confirmed that two students were hospitalized, one initially in critical condition.

The university canceled classes and events as the campus and community grappled with the attack.

Federal records and court documents show Jalloh had a prior conviction for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State (ISIS).

He pleaded guilty in 2016–2017 after a sting in which he discussed planning an attack similar to the 2009 Fort Hood shootings and trying to acquire weapons, and a judge sentenced him to 11 years in 2017.

Brisbane Times

Multiple outlets report he was released from federal custody in December 2024; some local coverage says he was granted early release after completing a drug treatment program, though official public details about how his sentence ended early remain unclear.

Law enforcement officials are treating the classroom shooting as an act of terrorism, citing Jalloh’s prior conviction and reported statements during the incident.

“The students subdued and killed the shooter, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans”

CNN

The FBI and local investigators noted similarities to the 2009 Fort Hood massacre; prosecutors and FBI affidavits from the earlier case documented Jalloh’s discussion with an undercover informant about planning an attack and trying to provide money and weapons to ISIS.

Authorities also said the suspect allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the attack, a detail officials cited in describing the probe as terrorism-related.

Old Dominion University and local officials described an immediate campus response and community shock.

The university canceled classes and events, the president said the campus was “truly shaken and forever impacted,” and campus police and federal agents remained involved as the FBI continued a preliminary investigation.

Fox News

Hospitals treated two students — one initially critical who was later upgraded — and authorities thanked students and staff whose actions officials said helped limit further harm.

The Virginia attack occurred hours before a separate, serious incident in Michigan in which a vehicle driven into a synagogue and school prompted a major multi-agency response.

“CNN, WDIV, WXYZ By Emma Tucker, Elizabeth Wolfe, Hannah Rabinowitz, Holmes Lybrand, CNN (CNN) — A pair of attacks more than 700 miles apart on Thursday struck at the heart of community safe havens, leaving shocked Americans with an uneasy sense of security”

KESQ

Law enforcement described the Michigan event as a targeted attack on a Jewish community site; officials deployed scores of FBI agents and investigators to both scenes as they assessed threats and motives in the closely timed incidents.

KESQ