Gunman at ODU ID’d in shooting as 1 victim dead, 2 others hurt

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) -- Mohamed Jalloh, a man previously convicted of providing ISIL material support and recently released from prison, has been identified by the FBI as the shooter who killed one person and injured two others at Old Dominion University Thursday morning.

The gunman is also dead, having been "rendered no longer alive" by containing the shooter and preventing further loss of life, according to Dominique Evans, special agent in charge of the FBI Norfolk field office. She outlined details about the shooting and the person it has identified as the shooter during a press conference Thursday afternoon.

"We are saddened by this tragedy in our community," Evans said. "The FBI mourns the loss of life in this abhorrent tragedy and violence."

FBI Director Kash Patel said the shooter is dead "thanks to a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him — actions that undoubetdly saved lives along with the quick response of law enforcement."

"Our Joint Terrorism Task Force is fully engaged, embedded with local authorities, and providing all resources necessary in the investigation," Patel said. "In the meantime, please pray for the victims, their families and the ODU community."

He said the FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism.

"We have confirmed reports that, prior to conducting this act of terrorism, he stated 'Allahu Akbar,'" Evans said, "and he was formally a subject of a FBI investigation in materials supporting terrorism."

Evans said the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force and its Evidence Response Team responded to the scene "and will continue to have a physical presence here at the scene as we process the evidence."

She said the FBI is also conducting "other investigative steps" into Jalloh and the specifics shooting, dedicating "analytical and tactical support in the investigation throughout the entire time."

Evans said the FBI knows of only one weapon, at this time, that was used in the shooting, and said it had no information about any explosives in his car or anywhere else.

In a press conference held around 2 p.m., ODU Police Chief Garrett Shelton confirmed one victim was dead and two were now in stable condition. He added one victim self-transported to a hospital in Virginia Beach.

The victim who died has been identified as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, according to a Facebook post from Voorhees University, which said Shah was the son-in-law of Voorhees University trustee and alumnus Dr. Dan Martin.

Shelton also revealed the gunman was found dead when officers arrived around 10:50 a.m.

"There were students in that room that subdued him and rendered him no longer alive," Evans said. "They basically were able to terminate the threat," adding, "he was not shot."

She said it was "the brave ROTC members in that room who subdued him, and if not for them, I'm not sure what else he may have done. They confronted him and they subdued him. He was no longer able to conduct any further attack."

In a statement issued by the U.S. Army Cadet Command, it was confirmed two victims were members of the university's ROTC program.

“We are deeply saddened from the active shooter incident that occurred at Old Dominion University on March 12, 2026. We can confirm that two members of the university ROTC program were shot and were taken to a local hospital to treat their injuries.”

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, in a statement, said she is monitoring the ongoing investigation into the shooting at ODU and has spoken to university president Brian Hemphill.

"Virginia State Police is on the scene and providing full support to local and federal officials," Spanberger said in a statement. "Members of my Administration are also on the scene and in close coordination with our partners amid the investigation. Thank you to the first responders, the Norfolk Police Department, the Old Dominion University Police Department, and the agencies who responded quickly on the scene.

“I have also spoken with President Hemphill to ensure he and ODU are getting everything they need and to express my deepest condolences to the university community. Adam and I are praying for the victims, their families, and every Virginian who has been touched by this terrifying shooting. I encourage community members to continue following guidance from the university and local emergency officials.”

A gunman opened fire in Constant Hall at approximately 10:50 a.m. ODU officials said two people were injured as a result and were taken to a local hospital. Both victims were taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital around 11:15 a.m. in critical condition, according to a Sentara official.

An all clear notification was sent by ODU officials around 12:15 p.m. that reads:

"This is an all clear notification. The emergency at Constant Hall has ended. There is no longer an active threat to the campus community. Avoid the area in and around Constant Hall where emergency officials continue to work."

ODU President Brian Hemphill, Ph.D., issued a statement in reference to the shooting:

Earlier today, March 12, 2026, Old Dominion University faced a tragedy on our main campus. I am grateful for the swift response of our police officers, emergency management personnel, and our partners at the City of Norfolk who promptly assisted the injured. 
 
Due to the incident, Old Dominion University has canceled classes and suspended operations on main campus for the remainder of the day, March 12, 2026. Due to the ongoing investigation, please avoid the area in and around Constant Hall and continue to follow instructions from ODU Alerts. Family Information Center is available in Chartway Arena’s Big Blue Room. 
 
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to go to Broderick Dining Commons for lunch and counseling support. Talk Campus—a 24/7 peer support community—and other online counseling services and resources are also available for students at www.odu.edu/counseling-services. More information will be provided by the Division of Student and Campus Life. For immediate assistance, please call (757) 683-4401. Additional updates will be shared through ODU Alerts and posted on the ODU homepage at www.odu.edu. 
 
The safety of our campus community is my top priority. We are deeply committed to safeguarding all Monarchs and ensuring a secure learning, living, and working environment at all times. We take this responsibility very seriously and remain vigilant in our efforts to maintain a safe campus. I extend my thoughts and prayers to those impacted by the incident, as well as the entire campus and the broader community. 

ODU sophomore Logan Hayes was in Constant Hall taking a test when the active shooter situation started. He said the fire alarm went off and he ran out of the building.

“People were screaming”: ODU students share what they experienced during campus shooting.

As soon as he got outside, Logan told WAVY, “I heard about a multitude of gunshots go off and people just screaming.” 

He added the police response was immediate and that they assured students were somewhere safe.

All classes and operations on the main campus were suspended for the remainder of the day. The university will be closed Friday, but counselors will be available on the main campus from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Broderick Dining Commons to offer support.

Larchmont Elementary, James Monroe Elementary and W.H. Taylor Elementary are placed on secure hold as Norfolk Police respond, Norfolk Public Schools confirmed.

In a statement, NPS said students from nearly every Norfolk high school were on ODU's campus for a SOAR tour during the incident. Officials said the students were sheltered in place. All of the students were accounted for and safe.

"All students and staff are secure, and we are following established safety protocols. However, due to the increased police presence NPS security personnel are asking that parents avoid the area at this time," a spokesperson for Norfolk Public Schools said.

Some students from Virginia Beach City Public Schools were also on campus.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools can confirm that some of our students were on the Old Dominion University campus for various events today when the incident happened. Please know they sheltered in place safely and returned to their schools safely.  All VBCPS students and staff are accounted for. We recognize the traumatic nature of this incident, and counseling support is available for students and staff.

— Virginia Beach City Public Schools

ODU officials advise the public to avoid the area in and around Constant Hall where emergency personnel continue to work.

On X, FBI Director Kash Patel said his department is aware of the incident and helping local law enforcement.

The initial alert put out by ODU reads:

"O.D.U. Urgent Alert: Active threat reported at Constant Hall. Follow Run-Hide-Fight protocols. Emergency personnel responding. Avoid area," the alert reads.

Credit: Joseph Hagin

Credit: Joseph Hagin

Several WAVY 10 crews are at the scene and will provide additional details as it develops.