Old Dominion University Shooting: ROTC Training Instructor Dies, Students Take On Terror
A gunman caused terror at Old Dominion University as they opened fire on a ROTC class on March 12, 2026, shortly before 11 a.m. After killing the instructor, Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, students intervened and took down the attacker, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh. Two others were also injured during the attack.
Another Act Of Terrorism
Jalloh, a former member of the Virginia National Guard, went into Virginia’s Old Dominion University, yelling “Allahu Akbar” as he open fired on an ROTC classroom on March 12. Jalloh had already spent time in prison after trying to give aid to the Islamic State. In the attack, he took down the instructor, Lt. Col. Shah. Students sprang into action and took the shooter down.
The special agent in charge at the FBI’s Norfolk office, Dominique Evans, spoke at a news conference, highlighting the students’ bravery, which prevented further loss of life as they charged Jalloh, stopping him. In the struggle, Jalloh died. The cause is currently not known. Evans was able to confirm he was not shot; no further details have been provided.
The FBI Director Kash Patel has stated on social media that the shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism at this time.
Who is Mohamed Bailor Jalloh
Jalloh pled guilty in 2016, attempting to aid the Islamic State. He was sentenced to 11 years, but was granted supervised release when he went to Old Dominion University on Thursday. There is no information on why his release had been moved up. It is known that inmates can have time removed from their sentences for various reasons, but there isn’t anything to indicate at this time what happened in Jalloh’s case.
His attorney, who had represented his criminal case, Ashraf Nubani, stated he had not been in contact with his client and had no prior information regarding Thursday’s events. He also added, “Any loss of life is tragic, and violence against innocent people is completely contrary to Islamic teachings and basic human morality.”
FBI Involvement
According to reporting from CNN, Jalloh previously tried getting weapons to be used in a terrorist attack committed in the name of ISIS. He had tried donating money to the cause in 2016, per the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Behind the scenes, Jalloh’s contact was actually an FBI source who had been monitoring his behavior. The affidavit from the FBI agent stated that during a discussion on the timeline for an attack, Jalloh “expressed that it was better to plan an operation for Ramadan.”
The sentencing was 11 years back in 2017, after he had pleaded guilty to trying to provide support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
It is believed Jalloh had been inspired by a rampage at Fort Hood military base that happened in 2009, where an Army psychiatrist killed 13 people, leaving 32 more injured. During 2016, he stated thoughts of a similar attack, which Evans confirmed that his attack on Thursday looked to be inspired by the event.
Campus Community and ROTC
Police received calls within minutes of the shooting, and the assailant was subdued shortly afterward. The university eventually said the threat was no longer active to the campus community. An online message from the university president, Brian Hemphill, said students, staff, and faculty were given lunch and counseling support after the incident. Support from the State was said to be set to assist the university and police.
During the report of an active threat, the Constant Hall website reads, “Follow Run-Hide-Fight protocols. Emergency personnel responding. Avoid area.”
As of this time, the university is closed, but staff and counselors will be on campus and available.
