Old Dominion Shooting Suspect ID'ed, Named ISIS Supporter By Police

Updated at 4:55 p.m.

NORFOLK, VA — The gunman who shot three people, killing one, at Old Dominion University, has been identified as a former Army National Guard member and supporter of the Islamic State, officials said Thursday afternoon.

The suspect has been identified by authorities as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, who pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State, according to the FBI.

The shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a social media post. He said the shooter is dead because of “a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him.”

Their actions “undoubtedly saved lives along with the quick response of law enforcement,” Patel said.

Jalloh, a former member of the Army National Guard, was sentenced to 11 years in prison and was released from federal custody in December 2024.

Three people were shot when Jalloh opened fire inside a building on the campus, according to campus police. School officials also confirmed the gunman is dead.

Initial reports said two people were injured on Thursday morning after the shooting in Constant Hall, the university's business school building. A spokesperson for Sentera Health told The Associated Press that both victims were taken to the hospital in critical condition.

At a news conference on Thursday afternoon, ODU Police Chief Garrett Shelton said a third victim took themselves to a hospital in Virginia Beach for treatment, the Virginian-Pilot reported. One of the victims was treated at a hospital and released.

Lt. Col. Jimmy Delongchamp, public information officer for the U.S. Army Cadet Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky, told The Associated Press that two of the wounded are members of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at ODU.

“We will continue to coordinate with the university and law enforcement agencies as they investigate the incident,” Delongchamp said in a brief telephone interview. “There’s still a lot more stuff we have to work out.”

An alert about an active threat was first sent by the university shortly before 10:50 a.m. In the alert, officials urged students and staff to follow "run-hide-fight protocols" and to avoid the area.

In an update shared around 11:30 a.m., school officials confirmed there was an active shooter situation on campus and that the shooter had been "neutralized."

It wasn't immediately clear how the shooter died.

Additional details about the shooting have not been released.

"Earlier today, Old Dominion University faced a tragedy on our main campus," university president Brian Hemphill said in a statement. "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."

Gov. Abigail Spanberger's office said she was monitoring the ongoing investigation following the shooting at Old Dominion University.

“Virginia State Police is on the scene and providing full support to local and federal officials. Members of my Administration are also on the scene and in close coordination with our partners amid the investigation," Spanberger said in a statement. "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," the governor said. "I encourage community members to continue following guidance from the university and local emergency officials.”

Old Dominion University police, Norfolk police and emergency personnel remain on scene. The public is asked to avoid the area in and around Constant Hall.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said on X that it had agents on scene supporting the response. The FBI's Norfolk office is also assisting.

Old Dominion University also canceled classes and operations on the school's main campus for the remainder of Thursday. Classes are also canceled for Friday.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said in social media posts that she was monitoring the situation and that “state support is being mobilized” to help ODU. She didn’t provide specifics.

Located in coastal Norfolk, Old Dominion University has about 24,000 students, 17,500 of them undergraduates. The school has around 240 degree programs, and is known for its research spending and doctoral programs. Nearly 30% of its students are military-affiliated, according to the university website. The area is also home to Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval station in the world.

The ODU Family Information Center is available in Chartway Arena’s Big Blue Room. Chartway Arena is located at 4320 Hampton Blvd. in Norfolk. The emergency contact center can also be reached at (757) 683-5845.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.