Lead
On Thursday morning at approximately 10:49 a.m., a gunman opened fire inside Constant Hall at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, killing one person and wounding two others. The shooter, identified by officials as 36-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh of Sterling, Virginia, was also killed at the scene. Two of the injured were taken to hospital and are reported in stable condition, while a third victim sought care independently. University and law-enforcement officials say an investigation is under way into motive and whether the incident is linked to terrorism.
Key Takeaways
- One person was killed and two were injured in the shooting at Old Dominion University; the shooter, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, 36, was also killed.
- The shooting occurred at about 10:49 a.m. inside Constant Hall on ODU’s Norfolk campus; the university sent an alert at 10:48 a.m.
- Two of the victims are reported to be members of the university’s ROTC program and were hospitalized; a third victim went to a hospital on their own.
- Officials say Jalloh had a 2016 conviction for attempting to provide material support to ISIS, received an 11-year sentence, and was released in 2024 (Department of Justice).
- Local and federal law enforcement—including Norfolk Police and the ATF Washington Field Division—responded; the shooter was described as “neutralized” by 11:30 a.m.
- Classes on the main campus were canceled for the rest of the day and the university closed on Friday; state officials mobilized support for the campus response.
- Authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive; investigators continue to examine whether the attack has a terrorism nexus.
Background
Old Dominion University (ODU) is a public university in Norfolk that regularly hosts ROTC programs and campus visits; on the morning of the shooting, students from most Norfolk high schools were on campus for tours. University leaders have emphasized campus safety in recent years as college campuses nationwide have faced periodic mass-shooting incidents and threats. ROTC programs operate on many U.S. campuses as military training and recruitment arms, and their presence has occasionally made them a focus in debates about campus security and the protection of visiting young students.
The shooter, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, was previously prosecuted in 2016 for attempting to provide material support to ISIS, according to court records cited by officials. He pleaded guilty and received an 11-year federal sentence; the Department of Justice reports he was released in 2024. Officials have said Jalloh was a former member of the Army National Guard, and investigators are reviewing his history, prison records, and any post-release supervision tied to his release.
Main Event
According to the university’s emergency message, an active threat was reported in Constant Hall at 10:48 a.m., and the shooting is estimated to have begun about a minute later. Campus and city police converged on the scene, and by 11:30 a.m. university officials described the shooter as neutralized. Norfolk Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (Washington Field Division) were among the responding agencies.
Two victims identified as ROTC members were transported to a local hospital and listed in stable condition; a third victim self-transported for treatment. ODU Police Chief Garrett Shelton confirmed at a briefing that one victim had died and that investigators were attempting to notify next of kin. Names of the victims have not been released pending family notification and ongoing investigation.
University leadership suspended classes on the main campus for the rest of the day and closed the campus on Friday to allow investigators and emergency services to complete scene work and to provide time for counseling and safety assessments. Large groups present on campus at the time—including high school tour groups—were accounted for, and local school officials said students and staff were secure.
Analysis & Implications
The presence of a prior conviction for attempting to support a designated foreign terrorist organization complicates the investigative picture. Investigators must determine whether the attack was motivated by extremist ideology, by other grievances, or by a combination of personal and ideological factors. That assessment will shape federal involvement, potential terrorism charges, and the public narrative surrounding the incident.
If the shooter deliberately targeted ROTC students, the event raises specific concerns about the vulnerability of military-affiliated students and programs on civilian campuses. Universities and military programs will likely reassess classroom security, access controls for academic buildings, and procedures for working with local and federal law enforcement to protect students and visitors.
The case also highlights questions about supervision and reintegration after incarceration for terrorism-related offenses. Policymakers and corrections officials may face renewed scrutiny over release conditions, monitoring, and information-sharing between federal correctional agencies and local law enforcement when someone with a terrorism-related conviction returns to the community.
Comparison & Data
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 10:48 a.m. | ODU issues an active-threat alert for Constant Hall |
| ~10:49 a.m. | Shooting begins; multiple victims reported |
| 11:30 a.m. | University reports shooter has been neutralized |
The brief timeline above shows the rapid sequence of alerts and law-enforcement actions on the morning of the incident. Fast notification and response are credited with limiting casualties, but the event will prompt a review of how quickly information is shared with campus populations and how shelters-in-place or evacuation orders are executed during student tours and other campus events.
Reactions & Quotes
“One of the victims is deceased. And we’re working on getting in touch with the family at this point,”
Garrett Shelton, ODU Police Chief
Chief Shelton’s remarks at the on-site briefing established basic facts about casualties and affirmed that family notification was underway. His office is coordinating scene security and evidence collection with partner agencies.
“We are deeply committed to safeguarding all Monarchs and ensuring a secure learning, living, and working environment at all times,”
Brian O. Hemphill, ODU President
President Hemphill thanked first responders and emphasized ongoing support for students and staff, including counseling resources and campus security reviews. The university has communicated closures and safety instructions to students, employees, and visiting groups.
“My Administration remains in close contact with local emergency responders as state support is being mobilized to assist ODU and Norfolk,”
Governor Abigail Spanberger
The governor signaled state-level assistance and oversight; such coordination can include counseling resources, additional law-enforcement assets, and support for families and students affected by the incident.
Unconfirmed
- Whether the shooter specifically and intentionally targeted an ROTC class remains an allegation identified by officials and is under investigation.
- Any direct operational or command link between the shooter and ISIS or other extremist groups beyond the 2016 conviction has not been publicly verified.
- Whether the shooter acted alone or had assistance has not been confirmed by investigators.
Bottom Line
The shooting at Old Dominion University left one person dead and two injured and has reopened urgent questions about campus security, the protection of military-affiliated students, and supervision after incarceration for terrorism-related offenses. Investigators are examining motive, prior convictions, and the possibility of a terrorism nexus; those findings will determine federal charging decisions and broader policy responses.
In the near term, ODU’s closure and the deployment of state and federal resources will support the investigation and victim services. Longer-term outcomes may include revised campus-access rules, adjustments to how agencies monitor individuals released after terrorism-related convictions, and renewed debate about balancing campus openness with targeted security measures.
Sources
- NBC News (news report)
- U.S. Department of Justice (official federal records and statements)
- WAVY-TV (NBC affiliate) (local reporting)
- Old Dominion University (official university statements)