Updated Thursday, 6:07 p.m. FBI Director Kash Patel said “brave students” stepped in and subdued the shooter this morning at Old Dominion University.
“The FBI is now investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism,” he wrote on X. “Our joint terrorism task force is fully engaged, embedded with local authorities and providing all resources necessary in the investigation.”
Updated Thursday, 4:39 p.m. CBS News sources have identified the gunman at Old Dominion University as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Virginia National Guard member who pleaded guilty nearly a decade ago to attempting to provide material support to ISIS.
He was sentenced to 11 years in prison but was released in late 2024.
According to the CBS reporting, Jalloh asked if the classroom he was in was for ROTC students, and when it was confirmed, he opened fire, killing the instructor, a retired Army officer.
The deaths of the gunman and a second victim have been confirmed by ODU Police Chief Garrett Shelton.
Shelton said at a news conference that there were a total of three shooting victims in the incident, not two, as initially reported.
The victims have not been identified.
According to court documents, Jalloh had plotted an attack in the U.S. back in 2016. He allegedly told his co-conspirators at the time that “he knew how to shoot guns.” He said he quit the Army National Guard after listening to online lectures by Anwar al-Aulaqi, a deceased leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
During court proceedings, it was noted that Jalloh told an undercover agent that it was best to plan an operation for the month of Ramadan, a holy month that is observed by Muslims that ends this year on March 19.
A dangerous situation unfolded at Old Dominion University in Norfolk this morning that left two people injured and a gunman dead.
The U.S. Army Cadet Command said it was “deeply saddened” as the two victims were members of the ROTC program at ODU.
In a statement, the command confirmed that “two members of the university ROTC program were shot and were taken to a local hospital.”
The names of the victims and their conditions have not been released. The name of the gunman and connection to the victims is also unknown.
University officials report the shooting took place at 10:49 a.m. in and around Constant Hall. Students were warned to follow “run-hide-fight protocols.”
Approximately one hour later, at 11:43 a.m., the university reported there was “no longer a threat” at ODU and wrote “the shooter has been neutralized.”
Old Dominion University Police, Norfolk Police and other emergency personnel responded to the scene.
All classes and operations on the main campus have been cancelled for the remainder of the day. Old Dominion University will be also closed on Friday at all locations.
ODU President Brian Hemphill thanked police and emergency responders for their “swift response” in a message sent to students and parents.
“Old Dominion University faced a tragedy on our main campus,” he wrote. “The safety of our campus community is my top priority. We are deeply committed to safeguarding all Monarchs and ensuring a secure learning, living and working environment at all times.
“We take this responsibility very seriously and remain vigilant in our efforts to maintain a safe campus. I extend my thoughts and prayers to those impacted by the incident, as well as the entire campus and the broader community.”
A family information center has been set up in Chartway Arena’s Big Blue Room at 4320 Hampton Blvd. in Norfolk.
Students, faculty and staff may go to Broderick Dining Commons for lunch and counseling support.
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Crystal Graham
