Daijiworld Media Network - Norfolk
Norfolk, Mar 13: A shocking shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk on Thursday morning left one Army lieutenant colonel dead and two other U.S. Army personnel injured, with authorities investigating the incident as an act of terrorism, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed.
The gunfire erupted shortly before 11 a.m. in an ROTC classroom. The victim, Brandon A. Shah, an Army lieutenant colonel and ROTC instructor, was described by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger as a devoted teacher who "didn’t just lead a life of service to our country, he taught and led others to follow that path."
Two other Army personnel were injured, while the gunman, identified as 36-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Army National Guard member with a previous terrorism conviction, was killed after being subdued by students. Authorities said Jalloh shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the attack.
Jalloh had previously pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State (ISIS) and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. He was released in 2024 after serving at least 85% of his sentence.
The university had issued an urgent alert at 10:48 a.m., and by 11:30 a.m., confirmed the shooter had been neutralized. University President Brian O. Hemphill paid tribute to the victims and thanked law enforcement for their swift response. The campus will remain closed on Friday.
Shah, who enlisted in the Army in 2003 and was deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, had significantly expanded the ROTC program at Old Dominion, increasing enrollment from 95 to nearly 140 students. He was awarded two Bronze Stars for his service.
Family members described Shah as a proud American of Pakistani descent. His cousin Rizwan Shah said, “Up until this point we’ve been a great immigrant story. It’s a horrible and tragic end to his story. It’s not just a loss to my family, it’s a loss to our generation.”
Federal authorities continue to investigate the motive and circumstances surrounding the attack, while the local and military communities mourn the loss of a committed teacher and soldier.