ROTC students at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, sprang into action Thursday to subdue a gunman who opened fire in their classroom, killing one instructor and wounding two others.
The shooting erupted shortly before 10:49 a.m. inside Constant Hall on the main campus. The gunman, identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is greater) upon entering the ROTC classroom and then began shooting, striking three individuals, officials said.
A group of students inside barely hesitated before leaping up to confront him. During the struggle, one student stabbed Jalloh, and the ROTC members ultimately “rendered him no longer alive,” according to FBI Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans. The students acted so quickly that the gunman was stopped before he could injure anyone else in the room.
Less than an hour later, officials had issued an all-clear, confirming there was no longer an active threat to the campus community.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the students’ bravery “undoubtedly saved lives.” He added that Jalloh was subdued by fellow students in the building and praised their courage in a post on X.
The victim killed in the attack was Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah, a military science professor and ROTC instructor who was shot inside his classroom. The two injured victims, both U.S. Army personnel, were taken to a local hospital and listed in stable condition.
Jalloh, 36, a former member of the Army National Guard, had previously been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison and five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to providing material support to ISIS. He was released in 2024 under a federal law that allows early release for good behavior.
The FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism. Patel said the Joint Terrorism Task Force is fully engaged with local authorities and is providing all necessary resources.
“The shooting at ODU is a tragic event for our community,” the FBI said in a statement. “We mourn the loss of life while we acknowledge the students who showed extreme bravery and courage by stopping the shooter and preventing further loss of life.”
University President Brian O. Hemphill said the school will continue offering counseling and support services in the coming days. Classes and campus operations were canceled for the rest of Thursday, and the university announced it would remain closed on Friday.
The FBI asks anyone with information about the shooting to submit their tips online.