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By Jenna Sundel and Joshua Rhett Miller
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Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, the man identified by authorities as the gunman in a deadly shooting at Old Dominion University, had a prior conviction for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State (ISIS) and previously served in the Army National Guard, federal officials said Thursday.
The FBI said Jalloh opened fire in a classroom at the Norfolk, Virginia, campus, killing one person and wounding two others before he was subdued by Reserve Officers’ Training Corps students. The 36-year-old yelled “Allahu Akbar” before opening fire, officials reported. The bureau is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism.
Lt. Col. Brandon Shah was identified as the instructor killed in Thursday’s shooting at Old Dominion University, according to a statement from Voorhees University. Shah, a retired U.S. Army officer and Virginia native, was teaching an Army ROTC class in Constant Hall when the shooting occurred.
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An ODU alumnus, Shah earned his commission at the university in 2007 and later served as an Army aviator, logging more than 1,200 flight hours, including extensive combat time. Voorhees University said Shah was the son‑in‑law of a university trustee and described his death as an “unimaginable loss” for his family and the academic community.
Dominique Evans, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Norfolk field office, said at a news conference that the ROTC students acted with “extreme bravery and courage” and prevented further bloodshed by stopping Jalloh.
“The ROTC students subdued him and rendered him no longer alive,” Evans said. “I don’t know how else to say it.” She declined to provide further details about how Jalloh died but confirmed that he was not shot by responding officers.
FBI Director Kash Patel said in a social media post that the bureau’s Joint Terrorism Task Force was leading the investigation. The students’ actions, Patel said, “undoubtedly saved lives along with the quick response of law enforcement.”
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Prior Terrorism Case and Prison Sentence
Jalloh, a former member of the Army National Guard, pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State. He was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison and was released from custody in December 2024, according to federal records.
Court documents from that case describe a months‑long FBI investigation in which Jalloh, then in his mid‑20s, expressed interest in carrying out a violent attack in the United States inspired by past acts of domestic terrorism. Prosecutors said Jalloh discussed the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, in which 13 people were killed, and indicated he wanted to carry out a similar assault.
According to an FBI affidavit, Jalloh made contact earlier in 2016 with individuals he believed were connected to the Islamic State. One of those contacts was actually a government informant, authorities said.
During the investigation, Jalloh attempted to send money to support the extremist group, prosecutors said. He also sought to acquire a rifle from a gun store in Virginia. The weapon he ultimately obtained had been rendered inoperable without his knowledge, according to court records. He was arrested shortly afterward.
In sentencing memoranda, prosecutors described Jalloh as deeply committed to violent extremist ideology, arguing that he framed potential violence in religious terms and viewed attacks on U.S. military personnel as a path to martyrdom. Federal prosecutors initially sought a 20‑year prison sentence.
Jalloh’s defense attorneys asked for a shorter sentence and cited substance abuse issues, requesting that he be placed in a facility offering drug treatment. U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady sentenced Jalloh to 11 years in prison.
Military Background and Radicalization Claims
Jalloh was a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Sierra Leone, according to court filings. The Virginia Army National Guard confirmed that he served as a specialist from 2009 until 2015 and received an honorable discharge.
In his earlier case, Jalloh told investigators that he left the Guard after listening to sermons by Anwar al‑Awlaki, a U.S.‑born extremist cleric killed in a U.S. drone strike in Yemen in 2011. Awlaki’s online lectures have been cited in multiple terrorism cases involving self‑radicalized individuals in the United States.
Evans said Thursday that Jalloh had previously expressed a desire to emulate attacks like Fort Hood, underscoring why federal authorities are treating the Old Dominion shooting as terrorism rather than a typical campus violence case.
Family Reaction and Lack of Warning Signs
Jalloh’s sister, Fatmatu Jalloh of Sterling, Virginia, said she was unaware of any plans for violence and learned of the attack from the news. She said she had seen her brother just two days earlier.
“I have no idea what is going on,” she said. “I know nothing. I don’t even know who to call.”
An attorney who represented Jalloh in his 2016 case did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Where Did the Shooting on Old Dominion University's Campus Take Place?
The shooter opened fire at Constant Hall. University and Norfolk police responded, and Jalloh was pronounced dead.
University officials issued a warning to the campus community early Thursday, urging them to follow “run-hide-fight” protocols following an incident at Constant Hall. Constant Hall houses the College of Business at the university and has two lecture halls and 19 classrooms, according to the university's website.
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The two injured victims were transported to a nearby hospital, according to a statement issued by the university.
Old Dominion posted that as of 11:43 a.m., there is no longer a threat at the university. All classes and scheduled events at the campus have been canceled for the remainder of the day, university officials said.
"Please continue to avoid the area in and around Constant Hall where emergency personnel continue to work. As a reminder, Old Dominion University has canceled classes and operations on main campus for the remainder of the day, March 12, 2026," the university said.
Where Is Old Dominion University?
Old Dominion University is a public university located in Norfolk, Virginia, with an enrollment of nearly 24,000 students.
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Update 3/12/26, 5:34 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 3/12/26, 7:01 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 3/12/26, 7:55 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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