Old Dominion University shooting: Former National Guard member with alleged ISIS ties kills ROTC leader, authorities launch investigation into motive
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Mar 13, 2026, 23:17 IST
US: Military instructor Brandon Shah killed in shooting at Virginia's Old Dominion University
A deadly shooting at Old Dominion University involved Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former United States Army National Guard member previously convicted of assisting the Islamic State militant group. The attack killed an ROTC leader and injured two others, prompting an immediate law enforcement response and raising serious concerns about campus safety and extremist threats. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and Jalloh’s motives.
A former Army National Guard member with a felony conviction for aiding the Islamic State group opened fire in a classroom at Virginia's Old Dominion University on Thursday, an attack being investigated as terrorism. The shooter, identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, used a gun with an obliterated serial number, potentially hindering efforts to trace its origin. Jalloh, who yelled "Allahu akbar" before the attack, was subdued and killed by ROTC students, preventing further harm. The shooting resulted in the death of an ROTC leader and professor of military science, Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, and injured two others.
Investigators are working to re-surface the obliterated serial number on the firearm used in the attack. This effort is crucial for tracing how Jalloh, who had a previous felony conviction, obtained the weapon. The law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity highlighted the challenge this presents to the ongoing investigation.
The FBI identified the shooter as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh. He was a former member of the Army National Guard. Jalloh had pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to aid the Islamic State extremist group.
Jalloh's actions included yelling "Allahu akbar" before he opened fire. He was subdued and killed by ROTC students at the university. FBI officials praised the students' bravery for their role in preventing additional harm.
The shooting claimed the life of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. He was an ROTC leader and a professor of military science at Old Dominion University. Two other individuals were injured in the attack.
One of the injured individuals was hospitalized in critical condition. Their condition has since been upgraded to fair. The other injured person received treatment and was released.
Jalloh had been sentenced to 11 years in prison in connection with the Islamic State group case. He was released from federal custody in December 2024. At the time of the shooting, he was on supervised release, which is comparable to probation.
It remains unclear why Jalloh's release from prison was moved up. Inmates can receive time off their sentences for various reasons. However, it was not immediately clear if this applied in his specific case.
During a news conference on Thursday, a reporter asked Dominique Evans, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Norfolk field office, about any mention of the ongoing war in Iran. She responded directly to the question.
"None whatsoever," she replied. The U.S. and Israel launched a war with Iran with missile strikes on Feb. 28.
The FBI has issued warnings about potential threats. Iranian operatives may be planning drone attacks targeting California. Additionally, two men brought explosives to a far-right protest outside the New York mayoral mansion on Saturday. Investigators allege these men were inspired by the Islamic State group.
On Thursday, a man of Lebanese origin was fatally shot. This occurred after he drove his vehicle into a Detroit-area synagogue. The FBI described this incident as a "targeted act of violence against the Jewish community."
Old Dominion University Police Chief Garrett Shelton provided details on the response time. Less than 10 minutes passed from the initial call about the shooting. This was until responders determined the shooter was deceased.
Lt. Col. Jimmy Delongchamp, public information officer for the U.S. Army Cadet Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky, confirmed details about the victims. Two of the individuals shot were part of the Army ROTC program at ODU. ROTC is a program that offers scholarships to students. These scholarships are in exchange for training to become commissioned officers in the U.S. military.
The victim who died was Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. He was 42 years old and from Chesapeake. He leaves behind a spouse and a child. This information was shared by the U.S. Army Cadet Command at Old Dominion in a social media post.
Shah had attended ODU as an ROTC student. His biography on the university's website confirms this. He returned to ODU in 2022. He served as a leader for the ROTC program. During his service in the Army, Shah piloted helicopters. His deployments included missions over Iraq, Afghanistan, and Eastern Europe.
On Friday morning, Eddie Flack honored his close friend Shah. Flack poured out a bottle of Wild Turkey on a lawn. This lawn is located on campus across from Constant Hall, where flagpoles stand. Flack, also from Chesapeake, stated that he and Shah became firm friends while enrolled at ODU.
"I love you Brandon. Rest well with the creator. I love you," Flack said. He spoke these words as he poured the whiskey and looked up at the sky.
"Sorry Brandon. The world needs more love," Flack said. He was weeping as he spoke. "We need to spread more love and not this hatred."
The shooter also had a background in military service. Jalloh was a naturalized U.S. citizen. He was originally from Sierra Leone. He served as a specialist with the Virginia Army National Guard. His service spanned from 2009 until 2015. He received an honorable discharge at the end of his service.
Durkin Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press reporters Michael Biesecker in Washington; Michael R. Sisak in New York City; Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; John Raby in Cross Lanes, West Virginia; and Olivia Diaz in Richmond, Virginia, contributed to this report.
Investigators are working to re-surface the obliterated serial number on the firearm used in the attack. This effort is crucial for tracing how Jalloh, who had a previous felony conviction, obtained the weapon. The law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity highlighted the challenge this presents to the ongoing investigation.
The FBI identified the shooter as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh. He was a former member of the Army National Guard. Jalloh had pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to aid the Islamic State extremist group.
Jalloh's actions included yelling "Allahu akbar" before he opened fire. He was subdued and killed by ROTC students at the university. FBI officials praised the students' bravery for their role in preventing additional harm.
The shooting claimed the life of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. He was an ROTC leader and a professor of military science at Old Dominion University. Two other individuals were injured in the attack.
One of the injured individuals was hospitalized in critical condition. Their condition has since been upgraded to fair. The other injured person received treatment and was released.
Jalloh had been sentenced to 11 years in prison in connection with the Islamic State group case. He was released from federal custody in December 2024. At the time of the shooting, he was on supervised release, which is comparable to probation.
It remains unclear why Jalloh's release from prison was moved up. Inmates can receive time off their sentences for various reasons. However, it was not immediately clear if this applied in his specific case.
During a news conference on Thursday, a reporter asked Dominique Evans, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Norfolk field office, about any mention of the ongoing war in Iran. She responded directly to the question.
"None whatsoever," she replied. The U.S. and Israel launched a war with Iran with missile strikes on Feb. 28.
The FBI has issued warnings about potential threats. Iranian operatives may be planning drone attacks targeting California. Additionally, two men brought explosives to a far-right protest outside the New York mayoral mansion on Saturday. Investigators allege these men were inspired by the Islamic State group.
On Thursday, a man of Lebanese origin was fatally shot. This occurred after he drove his vehicle into a Detroit-area synagogue. The FBI described this incident as a "targeted act of violence against the Jewish community."
Old Dominion University Police Chief Garrett Shelton provided details on the response time. Less than 10 minutes passed from the initial call about the shooting. This was until responders determined the shooter was deceased.
Lt. Col. Jimmy Delongchamp, public information officer for the U.S. Army Cadet Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky, confirmed details about the victims. Two of the individuals shot were part of the Army ROTC program at ODU. ROTC is a program that offers scholarships to students. These scholarships are in exchange for training to become commissioned officers in the U.S. military.
The victim who died was Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. He was 42 years old and from Chesapeake. He leaves behind a spouse and a child. This information was shared by the U.S. Army Cadet Command at Old Dominion in a social media post.
Shah had attended ODU as an ROTC student. His biography on the university's website confirms this. He returned to ODU in 2022. He served as a leader for the ROTC program. During his service in the Army, Shah piloted helicopters. His deployments included missions over Iraq, Afghanistan, and Eastern Europe.
On Friday morning, Eddie Flack honored his close friend Shah. Flack poured out a bottle of Wild Turkey on a lawn. This lawn is located on campus across from Constant Hall, where flagpoles stand. Flack, also from Chesapeake, stated that he and Shah became firm friends while enrolled at ODU.
"I love you Brandon. Rest well with the creator. I love you," Flack said. He spoke these words as he poured the whiskey and looked up at the sky.
"Sorry Brandon. The world needs more love," Flack said. He was weeping as he spoke. "We need to spread more love and not this hatred."
The shooter also had a background in military service. Jalloh was a naturalized U.S. citizen. He was originally from Sierra Leone. He served as a specialist with the Virginia Army National Guard. His service spanned from 2009 until 2015. He received an honorable discharge at the end of his service.
Durkin Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press reporters Michael Biesecker in Washington; Michael R. Sisak in New York City; Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; John Raby in Cross Lanes, West Virginia; and Olivia Diaz in Richmond, Virginia, contributed to this report.