Gunman dead, 2 critically injured in Old Dominion University shooting

Mar 12, 2026 - 13:25

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Gunman dead, 2 critically injured in Old Dominion University shooting

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NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) -- The all clear was provided after a shooting at Old Dominion University Thursday morning. Two people were critically hurt and the gunman is dead, according to ODU officials.

An alert sent by ODU officials at around 12:15 p.m. 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."

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.

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.

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

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

The following alert was initially put out by ODU:

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