(The Center Square) – Authorities have identified the victim killed in Thursday’s shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a professor of military science and leader of the university’s Army ROTC program.
Federal authorities said the suspected gunman, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, shot three people inside a classroom before being subdued by students.
One person died and two others were hospitalized following the attack. Jalloh also died.
The FBI said it is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism.
Investigators confirmed Jalloh previously pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State group. He was sentenced in 2017 and released from prison in 2024.
Officials said ROTC students in the classroom confronted and subdued the gunman, preventing further violence.
The shooter was not killed by police.
“Students showed extreme bravery and courage by containing the shooter and stopping further loss of life,” an FBI official said during a press briefing Thursday night.
Authorities said the FBI’s Norfolk Joint Terrorism Task Force and Evidence Response Team are leading the investigation and continuing to examine Jalloh’s background, contacts and possible motivations.
Investigators are also asking the public to provide information about Jalloh’s activities before the attack.
Old Dominion University issued an emergency alert Thursday warning of an “active threat” near Constant Hall before later announcing there was no longer an active threat on campus.
Classes and campus operations were canceled through Friday.
Virginia State Police assisted local and federal authorities responding to the incident.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger said earlier that state police were providing support to local and federal officials at the scene.
The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting more comment from the governor’s office on Friday.
Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi said during a Thursday briefing that lawmakers should adopt stronger gun control measures following the attack.
“We live in a country where people care more about guns than they care about six-year-old children,” Fatehi said.
The FBI said the investigation remains ongoing.
In the first 12 days of March, the incident in Virginia is added to an attack on a synagogue in Michigan; anti-Islam protestors attacked by ISIS supporters in New York City; and a suspect in the Austin, Texas, shooting wearing “property of Allah” gear.
