ISIS-Linked Soldier Opens Fire at Old Dominion University: FBI

Shocking campus violence erupted Thursday morning at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, after authorities say a former Army National Guard member with a past conviction tied to ISIS opened fire inside an academic building — leaving one person dead and two others wounded.

Federal officials are now treating the attack as an act of terrorism.

The suspected gunman, identified by law enforcement as 35-year-old Mohamed Jalloh, was found dead shortly after police rushed to the scene. Investigators say Jalloh previously served time in federal prison after pleading guilty to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State terror group.

The shooting unfolded just before 11 a.m. inside Constant Hall, a building used for classrooms and academic programs. University alerts warned students of an active shooter as chaos spread across campus.

According to Old Dominion University Police Chief Garrett Shelton, officers arrived within minutes of the first 911 calls.

“The suspect was located shortly after officers entered the building,” Shelton told reporters during a press briefing. “At this time, there is no ongoing threat to the campus.”

Authorities have not publicly confirmed how the gunman died.

Investigators say the gunman appeared to specifically target a class connected to the university’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, Jalloh allegedly entered a classroom and asked students if it was an ROTC course.

When someone answered yes, the suspect immediately opened fire.

The instructor was reportedly shot multiple times.

Two of the wounded victims are ROTC cadets, according to U.S. Army Cadet Command. Officials say several students in the room attempted to fight back against the gunman during the attack.

Their actions may have prevented further bloodshed.

Jalloh had a troubling history with federal investigators long before the attack.

Court records show he pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to provide material support to ISIS after communicating with a suspected member of the terror group overseas.

During the investigation, prosecutors said Jalloh believed he was coordinating with extremists to plan a potential attack in the United States. In reality, one of his contacts was an undercover FBI informant.

In recorded conversations cited in court documents, Jalloh allegedly discussed potential timelines for attacks and suggested that an operation be planned during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Prosecutors initially pushed for a 20-year prison sentence.

Instead, Jalloh received an 11-year term in 2017.

Federal Bureau of Prisons records show he was released in December 2024 after serving roughly seven years behind bars.

Authorities have not yet explained why he was freed early, though early release for federal inmates due to good behavior or sentence credits is common.

Students inside the building described a sudden eruption of panic as people realized what was happening.

Jennifer, a sophomore waiting for a midterm exam, said the first sign of trouble came when people began shouting for everyone to run.

“All of a sudden we heard people yelling, ‘Get out, get out, get out,’” she told local station WVEC. “Then we heard the commotion. People were getting up and running.”

Moments later, gunshots rang out.

“The guy next to me and I looked at each other and just started running,” she said. “That’s when we heard the shots.”

Jennifer praised the university’s emergency alert system, which quickly warned students across campus.

“I’m very proud of how quickly they communicated with everyone,” she said.

Police swept the building room by room after the shooting, searching for injured victims and students who had barricaded themselves inside classrooms.

“There were students and faculty hiding in various rooms,” Chief Shelton said. “We had to go through every single space to make sure the building was secure.”

Old Dominion University canceled classes for the rest of Thursday and Friday as investigators continue examining the scene.

University President Brian Hemphill addressed reporters later in the day.

“Today was a tragic day for the Old Dominion community,” Hemphill said. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.”

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the bureau has opened a terrorism investigation into the shooting.

“The FBI is treating this incident as an act of terrorism,” Patel said in a statement.

Agents with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force are now working alongside local police to determine whether the suspect had accomplices or ongoing extremist contacts.

For now, officials say the immediate threat to campus has ended.

But for students and staff who watched the violence unfold, the shock is still sinking in.