Prior Expectations
Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Virginia, has long been regarded as a safe environment for students and faculty. With a history free from significant violence, the university community had little reason to expect that a tragic event would disrupt their daily lives.
Decisive Moment
However, on March 12, 2026, everything changed when Mohamed Bailor Jalloh opened fire in a classroom at ODU, resulting in the death of ROTC Professor Lt. Col. Brandon Shah and wounding two others. Jalloh, who was 36 years old and had previously been convicted for attempting to aid ISIS, was on supervised release at the time of the shooting. The FBI is investigating the incident as a possible act of terrorism, particularly after witnesses reported that Jalloh yelled “Allahu Akbar” before the attack.
Immediate Effects
The immediate aftermath of the shooting saw students taking swift action, with some subduing and killing Jalloh within 10 minutes of the first call to police. Classes and operations at ODU were suspended for the remainder of the day, and the campus was closed for classes and activities on March 13 to provide support and counseling for students and staff affected by the incident.
Expert Perspectives
Brian O. Hemphill, President of ODU, expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “There are no words for a moment like this.” Meanwhile, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi criticized the broader implications of gun violence, saying, “Until there is the political will to break the spell of the cult of gun absolutionism, you will see more incidents like this.” Representative Jen Kiggans also voiced her anger, noting, “The fact that a terrorist with known ties to ISIS has been walking the streets of Hampton Roads makes me furious.”
Community Response
Students, like Zachary Mulder, described the chaos and fear during the shooting, stating, “I need to leave. My heart dropped… it was pretty scary at that point because I really didn’t know what was going on or how close the threat was.” This incident has reignited discussions about campus safety and gun control measures, especially in light of Virginia’s history with college campus shootings, including the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007.
Uncertainties
Details remain unconfirmed regarding why Jalloh’s release from prison was moved up and the exact cause of his death during the incident. As investigations continue, the ODU community grapples with the implications of this tragic event.
