USA13 March, 20263 min read
Mohamed Bailor Jalloh opens fire at ODU ROTC; students subdue attacker, shooter and student die
Convicted ISIS supporter opened fire inside an Old Dominion University ROTC classroom. Students subdued the attacker; both the shooter and one student died in the struggle.
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Attack and outcome
A convicted ISIS supporter, identified by the FBI as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, entered an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University and opened fire; students in the room immediately moved to subdue him, and by the end of the struggle the shooter was dead while one student also died. When a convicted ISIS supporter stepped into an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University on Thursday and opened fire, the group of students inside barely hesitated before leaping up to subdue their attacker. By the end of the struggle, the shooter was dead, but so too was one of their peers.
“When a convicted ISIS supporter stepped into an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University on Thursday and opened fire, the group of students inside barely hesitated before leaping up to subdue their attacker.”
Terrorism investigation
Authorities say the FBI is treating the attack as an act of terrorism; investigators identified the attacker as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Virginia National Guard member with a past conviction for attempting to support ISIS, and reported that he shouted “Allahu Akbar” before the shooting. The FBI is now investigating the Thursday morning attack as an act of terrorism, identifying the shooter as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Virginia National Guard member who has served prison time for attempting to aid the Islamic militant group a decade ago. Before the attack began, FBI Special Agent In Charge Dominique Evans said Jalloh shouted “Allahu Akbar” — or “God is greater.”
Attacker background
Jalloh’s background includes prior attempts to aid ISIS: he pleaded guilty in 2017 to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, was sentenced to 11 years, and was released from federal custody in December 2024; court records and past statements indicated he had discussed carrying out attacks during Ramadan and had expressed admiration for the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. Jalloh pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2017. He was released from federal custody in December 2024.
“Jalloh pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2017.”
Student response
Students and university staff played a central role in stopping further harm: multiple law enforcement sources told reporters that one student stabbed Jalloh during the struggle, and university police said officers arrived within minutes and determined the assailant was deceased shortly after. “Brave ROTC members in that room subdued him, and if not for them, I’m not sure what else he may have done,” FBI Special Agent In Charge Dominique Evans said, and university police Chief Garrett Shelton detailed the rapid police response. One of the students stabbed Jalloh, according to multiple law enforcement sources briefed on the case.
Victims and campus
The fatality among the victims was identified as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, an ROTC instructor and professor of military science with active-duty deployments and military awards; two other members of the university were hospitalized, and the university canceled classes while officials described the campus as shaken.
“The victim who was killed was identified as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, according to Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who described him as a devoted ROTC instructor who ‘didn’t just lead a life of service to our country, he taught and led others to follow that path.’”
The victim who was killed was identified as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, according to Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who described him as a devoted ROTC instructor who “didn’t just lead a life of service to our country, he taught and led others to follow that path.”
Two others were hospitalized with injuries, university police Chief Garrett Shelton said.