Mohamed Bailor Jalloh: Former ISIS Supporter Neutralized by ROTC Students in Deadly Old Dominion University Attack
NORFOLK, Va. — A harrowing scene of violence at Old Dominion University (ODU) on Thursday morning ended when a group of courageous Army ROTC cadets engaged in hand-to-hand combat to stop a gunman. The assailant, identified by the FBI as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, 36, was a former Virginia National Guard member previously convicted of attempting to support ISIS. Jalloh was killed during the struggle after fatally shooting a decorated military officer and wounding two others.
The incident, which occurred inside Constant Hall at approximately 10:43 a.m., is now being investigated as an act of terrorism by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.
The Attack: “Allahu Akbar” in the Classroom
The tranquil atmosphere of the ODU College of Business was shattered when Jalloh entered a classroom where an Army ROTC session was in progress. Witnesses and law enforcement officials stated that Jalloh walked into the room and specifically asked if it was an ROTC class. Upon receiving a “yes,” he reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” and opened fire with a 5.56 caliber assault weapon.
The primary target of the initial burst of gunfire was Army Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah, the professor of military science leading the session. Lt. Col. Shah, 43, a veteran pilot who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was killed at the scene. Two other Army personnel, identified as ROTC cadets, were wounded in the hail of bullets.
The Counter-Attack: ROTC Students Fight Back
While the sound of gunfire sent many students into “run-hide-fight” protocols across the campus, the cadets inside the room chose to fight. According to senior law enforcement officials, multiple students immediately rushed the gunman.
During the frantic struggle, one of the cadets managed to draw a knife and stab Jalloh. Dominique Evans, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk field office, confirmed that the students “rendered him no longer alive,” effectively terminating the threat before police could enter the room.
“The shooter is now deceased thanks to a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him—actions that undoubtedly saved lives,” said FBI Director Kash Patel in a statement.
Profile of the Attacker: Mohamed Bailor Jalloh
Mohamed Bailor Jalloh’s history reveals a long-standing fascination with extremist ideology. A naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Sierra Leone, Jalloh served as a combat engineer in the Virginia National Guard from 2009 to 2015. However, court documents from his 2016 conviction show he became radicalized after listening to the online lectures of Al-Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.
- 2016 Conviction: Jalloh was arrested in July 2016 after a three-month FBI sting operation. He had attempted to purchase an AR-15 to carry out a “Fort Hood-style” attack and had tried to donate money to ISIS.
- Sentencing: In 2017, he was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison.
- Release: Records indicate Jalloh was released from federal custody in December 2024 and was on supervised release (probation) at the time of the ODU shooting.
Federal investigators are now looking into how Jalloh acquired the weapon used in Thursday’s attack, given his status as a convicted felon and his known history of terrorism-related activities.
A Community in Mourning
The ODU campus remained closed on Friday as students and faculty gathered for vigils to honor Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. Shah was a beloved figure on campus, having returned to his alma mater in 2022 to lead the “Monarch Battalion.”
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger praised the fallen officer and the students who intervened. “Lt. Col. Brandon Shah didn’t just lead a life of service to our country; he taught and led others to follow that path,” she said.
Victim Status Report:
| Victim | Affiliation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Lt. Col. Brandon Shah | ROTC Instructor | Deceased |
| Unnamed Cadet | ROTC Student | Critical Condition |
| Unnamed Cadet | ROTC Student | Stable / Recovering |
Investigation and Next Steps
The FBI has raided Jalloh’s residence in Sterling, Virginia, as they search for evidence of accomplices or further plots. While the threat to Norfolk is considered over, the incident has reignited national debates regarding the monitoring of individuals convicted of terrorism offenses following their release from prison.
Old Dominion University has announced that classes will remain suspended through the weekend, with grief counseling services available at Chartway Arena.