ODU students benefited from the gunman in the shooting that killed the ROTC instructor
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The suspect who killed one person and injured two at Old Dominion University (ODU) was disarmed by a group of students, officials praised their courage when the incident occurred.
Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, 36, a former Army National Guard soldier convicted of supporting ISIS, reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” when he opened fire at the University of Virginia on Thursday.
FBI officials said the shooting was being investigated as an act of terrorism, and Director Kash Patel said Jalloh was disarmed by a group of students at the university.
DOMINION UNIVERSITY SENIOR IDENTIFIED AS MOHAMED JALLOH, FORMER NATIONAL GUARD MEMBER, ISIS SUPPORTER
Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, the person identified as the shooter at ODU on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Obtained by WTKR)
“The shooter is now dead thanks to a group of brave students who intervened and subdued him – life-saving actions and the quick response of law enforcement,” Patel said. social media posts.
Jallah was pronounced dead at the scene, ODU Police Chief Garrett Shelton told reporters during a press conference.
Although Jallah was not shot, the FBI has not yet determined how he died.
“The brave ROTC members in that room subdued him,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans told reporters. “And if not for them, I’m not sure you know what else he might have done. But that’s exactly what they did. They tackled him, they overpowered him, and he couldn’t keep attacking.”
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger identified the victim as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, describing him as a “dedicated ROTC instructor.”
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY SHOOTING: ‘DEVOTED ROTC INSTRUCTOR’ KILLED, 2 OTHERS WOUNDED, FATHER WHO SUPPORTS ISIS
Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, the person identified as the shooter at ODU on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (The Intercept)
“Lt. Col. Brandon Shah was killed today in his classroom at Old Dominion University. A dedicated ROTC instructor, Lt. Col. Shah not only lived a life of service to our country, he taught and led others to follow that path,” said Spanberger. “I am grateful for his example, I am deeply saddened by his death, and I pray for his family. In the midst of this tragedy, I thank the brave students, first responders, and police who responded quickly to today’s horrific attack.”
One injured victim was taken to a local hospital and the other was driven to Virginia Beach for treatment, authorities said. Both were in stable condition as of Thursday afternoon.
Lt. Col. Brandon Shah has been identified as the coach who died in Thursday’s shooting at Old Dominion University. (Old Dominion University)
Multiple sources confirmed to Fox News that Jalloh was convicted in 2017 of providing material support to ISIS, and was released in 2024.
SHOOTING AT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA LEAVES TWO DEAD
He was an American citizen born in Sierra Leone and served in the Virginia National Guard before leaving the military after listening to online speeches by Anwar al-Aulaqi, the late leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, he told investigators when he was arrested in 2016.
Police arrive outside the Old Dominion University campus after reports of a shooting Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/John Clark)
While meeting with ISIS members in Nigeria, he tried to buy guns in North Carolina and Virginia, the Justice Department said at the time.
The FBI is providing assistance and working with local authorities as officials continue to investigate the shooting, Patel said.
“We will update as soon as possible,” he added.
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Immediately after the shooting, ODU canceled classes and other campus activities, while making counseling services available to members of the school community.
“The safety of our campus community is my top priority. We are deeply committed to protecting all Lions and ensuring a safe learning, living and working environment at all times,” said ODU President Brian Hemphill. “We take this responsibility very seriously and remain vigilant in our efforts to maintain a safe environment. I extend my thoughts and prayers to those affected by this incident, as well as the entire campus and community at large.”
Fox News’ Ashley Carnahan, Louis Casiano, Bill Melugin and Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.
