Additional Coverage:
Norfolk, VA – In a harrowing incident that unfolded on Thursday, students at Old Dominion University’s ROTC program displayed extraordinary bravery, subduing a gunman who opened fire in a classroom. The assailant, identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, was ultimately “rendered no longer alive” by the students, according to Dominique Evans, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Norfolk field office.
The attack tragically claimed the life of Army Lt. Col.
Brandon A. Shah, and left two other Army personnel wounded.
The Old Dominion University community is in mourning, with a statement on the school’s ROTC website expressing grief and support for Lt. Col.
Shah’s family, students, and colleagues.
Further details emerging from the investigation reveal that the 36-year-old assailant, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, had a prior conviction for supporting ISIS and was on probation at the time of the deadly attack. Court documents indicate that Jalloh had apologized for his past actions during his 2017 sentencing hearing, claiming they did not reflect his true values.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced it is investigating Thursday’s shooting as an act of terrorism. Federal agents are now seeking the public’s assistance to gather more information about Jalloh.
In a statement, the FBI acknowledged the profound impact of the shooting on the community. “We mourn the loss of life while we acknowledge the students who showed extreme bravery and courage by stopping the shooter and preventing further loss of life,” the FBI stated. “The FBI is going to dig in and track down every single lead as we work alongside our partners to find answers.”