Gunman in fatal Old Dominion University shooting ID’d as convicted ISIS supporter, officials say
Gunman in Fatal Old Dominion University Shooting Identified as Former ISIS Supporter
Law enforcement has confirmed that the individual responsible for a deadly shooting at Old Dominion University on Thursday was Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a 36-year-old resident of Sterling, Virginia. The incident resulted in one fatality and two injuries, with Jalloh himself succumbing to his wounds during the attack. According to two senior officials familiar with the case, the FBI has classified the event as a potential terrorist act.
The attack took place around 10:49 a.m. in Constant Hall, as the university issued an emergency alert shortly before the incident. By 11:30 a.m., authorities declared the shooter “neutralized,” though they provided no further details. The campus remains under observation, with the university advising individuals to stay clear of the area. Classes on the main campus were suspended for the remainder of the day, and the institution will close on Friday.
Background of the Shooter
Officials revealed that Jalloh, a former member of the Army National Guard, was previously convicted of offering material support to ISIS. In 2016, he attempted to acquire an AK-47 in North Carolina, but the seller declined the transaction. Subsequently, he purchased an AR-15 from a local gun shop on July 2 of that year and was arrested the following day.
Jalloh’s history includes efforts to fund recruits for the Islamic State, as noted in a 2017 government sentencing memo. He sent gift card codes to an FBI agent posing as an ISIS operative. While federal authorities had sought a 20-year sentence, his defense argued his actions demonstrated “gullibility, impressionability, and lack of sophistication.” At his 2017 sentencing, Jalloh told the judge, “this entire crime is not who I am, it’s not who I plan to be, and it’s not who I have been.”
According to prison records, Jalloh was released in 2024 after serving 11 years of his sentence. Federal law mandates that defendants serve at least 85% of their term, even with good behavior credits. The FBI’s Director Kash Patel highlighted the quick actions of students who subdued the gunman, stating they “most likely saved lives.”
Response and Aftermath
Following the shooting, Norfolk police and the Washington field division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called to the scene. Governor Abigail Spanberger emphasized her ongoing coordination with local responders, stating, “My Administration remains in close contact with local emergency responders as state support is being mobilized to assist ODU and Norfolk.”
Norfolk Public Schools reported that nearly all high school students from the district were visiting ODU’s campus for a tour when the shooting occurred. A spokesperson confirmed that everyone on site is safe. University President Brian O. Hemphill expressed gratitude for the prompt intervention by law enforcement and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to campus security, stating, “We take this responsibility very seriously and remain vigilant in our efforts.”
“One of the victims is deceased. And we’re working on getting in touch with the family at this point,” said ODU Police Chief Garrett Shelton during a news conference.