Full story
Incident overview
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.
“The FBI have identified Mohammed Bailor Jalloh, 36, as the gunman who opened fire on a classroom at Norfolk’s Old Dominion University.”
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.
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.
Shooter background
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.
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.
Terrorism probe
Law enforcement officials are treating the classroom shooting as an act of terrorism, citing Jalloh’s prior conviction and reported statements during the incident.
“Evans said Thursday's shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism because of the suspect's prior conviction and because he allegedly shouted "Allahu Akbar", an Arabic phrase that means "God is greater", before the incident.”
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.
Campus response
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.
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.
Related Michigan attack
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.
“Just hours after the Virginia shooting, another violent attack unfolded in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, when a suspect rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives and weapons into Temple Israel synagogue.”
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.
