VA Man Illegally Sold Gun Used In Old Dominion University Shooting, DOJ Says

SMITHFIELD, VA — A Virginia man is facing federal charges after prosecutors said he illegally sold the gun used in Thursday's shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, which left one person dead and two others injured.

Kenya Mcchell Chapman, 32, of Smithfield, appeared in federal court on Friday and was charged with dealing in firearms without a license and three counts of making false statements during purchases of firearms in connection with the shooting carried out by Mohamed Bailor Jalloh.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Chapman stole the gun used by Jalloh from a vehicle in Newport News a year ago. Prosecutors said he sold it to Jalloh days before the ODU shooting.

After identifying Jalloh as the shooter, authorities confirmed he pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison and was on supervised release when the ODU shooting occurred.

• RELATED: ROTC Students Subdued, Killed Gunman After Old Dominion Shooting: FBI

“If you steal firearms, lie on federal forms, and put weapons in the hands of convicted terrorists, this FBI will find you,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. “I want to thank our Norfolk Field Office and partners who continue to work 24/7 to bring to justice those responsible for yesterday’s attack."

Jalloh, a former Virginia Army National Guard member who authorities said was taking online classes at the university, wounded three people in Thursday’s shooting. ROTC students subdued and killed him, authorities said.

Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, who was teaching ROTC students when the gunfire started, later died from his injuries.

• RELATED: UGA Grad Identified As ROTC Instructor Killed In VA College Shooting

According to a criminal complaint against Chapman, law enforcement searched his residence on Friday and located ammunition consistent with the gun recovered from the ODU shooting.

Additionally, prosecutors said Chapman allegedly purchased three firearms in 2021 that were later recovered from crime scenes, including the scene of a homicide and a drunk-in-public incident.

If convicted, Chapman faces a maximum penalty of 35 years in prison.