On Thursday, March 12, 2026, a tranquil morning at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, was shattered by a deadly act of violence that authorities are now investigating as terrorism. The shooting, which unfolded just before 11 a.m. in Constant Hall—the heart of the university’s College of Business—left one person dead and two others wounded, sending shockwaves through the campus and the broader Norfolk community.
The gunman, identified as 36-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, was no stranger to law enforcement. A former member of the Virginia Army National Guard, Jalloh had previously pleaded guilty in October 2016 to attempting to provide material support to ISIS, the extremist militant group. According to the Justice Department and confirmed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison in February 2017 and released early in December 2024. At his sentencing, Jalloh expressed deep regret for his actions, telling U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady, “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but this mistake of giving any support to the violent and extreme organization ISIS has been the most devastating one I have ever decided to make in my life.” He added, “I did not intend to cause any harm to anyone. And I want to say—every time I see any atrocities that ISIS commits, I am disgusted by it because I know this is not what I want to be a part of.” (CBS News)
But on Thursday, Jalloh’s actions told a different story. According to Dominique Evans, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Norfolk field office, Jalloh entered a classroom in Constant Hall and asked if it was an ROTC class. When someone confirmed it was, he shouted “Allahu Akbar” and opened fire. The chaos that ensued was punctuated by the bravery of the students in the room, many of whom were part of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. Evans recounted, “There were students in that room that subdued him, and rendered him no longer alive, I don’t know how else to say it, they basically were able to terminate the threat. If not for them, I’m not sure, you know, what else he would have done.” (CBS News)
The shooter was not killed by gunfire. Instead, students managed to subdue him with a knife, ending the threat before law enforcement arrived. FBI Director Kash Patel credited their quick action, stating, “The shooter is now deceased thanks to a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him—actions that undoubtedly saved lives along with the quick response of law enforcement.” (CBS News)
The attack left three people injured, all with ties to the university’s ROTC program. Tragically, one of the victims, Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a retired Army officer and devoted ROTC instructor, died from his wounds. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger honored Shah’s legacy, writing, “Lt. Col. Brandon Shah was killed today in his classroom at Old Dominion University. A devoted ROTC instructor, Lt. Col. Shah didn’t just lead a life of service to our country, he taught and led others to follow that path.” (MS NOW)
Two other Army personnel were wounded—one remained in critical condition at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, while another was treated and released from Sentara Independence emergency department. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll expressed support for those affected, saying, “I’m praying for them and all those impacted by this terrible event.” (CBS News)
Authorities moved swiftly to secure the campus and reassure the public. The university sent out an urgent alert at 10:48 a.m., warning of an active threat. By 11:30 a.m., the shooter had been neutralized, and an all-clear notification was issued. “The emergency at Constant Hall has ended. There is no longer an active threat to the campus community,” the university announced. (NBC News)
Norfolk Police Chief Mark Talbot sought to calm fears, telling reporters, “We’ve learned nothing here today that makes us think that there’s anything to fear beyond what we’re dealing with here.” The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI were both on the scene, investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. No explosives were found on Jalloh or in his vehicle, and law enforcement emphasized that there was no ongoing threat to Norfolk. (CBS News, NBC News)
In the aftermath, Old Dominion University canceled classes for the rest of Thursday and closed campus on Friday, March 13, 2026. University President Brian O. Hemphill addressed the community, stating, “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.” (NBC News)
The shock of the shooting was felt not only among those directly involved but across the student body and the city. Kahari, a junior at the university, described the chaos: “We heard like faint screaming, and we just like looked back, we didn’t know what it was, and then we heard the screams getting louder, and then that’s when the alarm went off, and everyone just like ran out of the building.” Another student recounted, “It was just terrifying, it really was. Everything was just terrifying. Everybody was running, everybody was screaming, we didn’t know what was going on.” (WTKR-TV)
Norfolk Public Schools confirmed that students from nearly all Norfolk high schools were on campus for a tour at the time of the shooting, but all were accounted for and safe. The quick response from university officials, law enforcement, and first responders helped prevent further tragedy. Governor Spanberger thanked first responders and urged the community to follow guidance from local authorities, reiterating that the state was mobilizing support for ODU and Norfolk. (NBC News)
As the investigation continues, the FBI and ATF are piecing together Jalloh’s motives. While he had previously attempted to orchestrate a terrorist attack similar to the 2009 Fort Hood shooting and had been under FBI scrutiny for his ties to ISIS, investigators have so far found no evidence linking Thursday’s shooting to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Evans confirmed, “Investigators have so far found no mention of the war in the Middle East as a possible motivating factor for Thursday’s shooting.” (CBS News)
Jalloh’s background paints a complex picture. He served as a combat engineer in the Virginia National Guard from 2009 to 2015, when he was honorably discharged. Despite his conviction and apparent remorse at sentencing, he ultimately carried out a violent act on U.S. soil. The incident has reignited conversations about the challenges of monitoring individuals with terrorism-related backgrounds after release and the importance of campus safety and resilience.
For the Old Dominion University community and the city of Norfolk, the events of March 12 will not soon be forgotten. The courage shown by students and the swift action of law enforcement prevented an even greater tragedy, but the loss of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah and the trauma endured by survivors will leave a lasting mark on all those touched by this harrowing day.