Federal authorities have identified the individual responsible for the deadly shooting at Old Dominion University as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a 36-year-old former Virginia National Guard soldier previously convicted for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State. The incident, which left one person dead and two others injured, is now being investigated as an act of terrorism.
Jalloh was killed at the scene on Thursday after opening fire on the Norfolk campus. Reports from officials indicate he shouted "Allahu Akbar" moments before the attack. He had been released from federal prison in December 2024, approximately 15 months before the shooting.
Key Takeaways
- The Old Dominion University shooter was identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, 36.
- Jalloh was a former Virginia National Guard soldier convicted in 2017 for attempting to support ISIS.
- He was released from prison in December 2024 after serving part of an 11-year sentence.
- The attack resulted in one fatality and two injuries; the shooter is also deceased.
- The FBI has officially classified its investigation into the shooting as an act of terrorism.
An Attack on Campus
The Old Dominion University community was shaken Thursday when gunfire erupted, leading to a swift response from campus and local law enforcement. In a joint press conference, ODU Police Chief Garrett Shelton and University President Brian Hemphill confirmed that three university-affiliated individuals were shot. One victim succumbed to their injuries, while two others were wounded.
The assailant, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, was also confirmed deceased at the scene. In a statement, FBI Director Kash Patel noted that the shooter was subdued by a group of students whose actions "undoubtedly saved lives" before law enforcement contained the situation.
Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans provided a critical detail during a subsequent news conference, stating, "We have confirmed reports that prior to him conducting this act of terrorism, he shouted... 'Allahu Akbar.'" This statement, combined with Jalloh's background, prompted the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force to take a leading role in the investigation.
A History of Radicalization
Mohamed Bailor Jalloh was not unknown to federal authorities. A naturalized U.S. citizen from Sierra Leone, he had a documented history of radicalization that led to a federal conviction nine years ago.
From Soldier to ISIS Sympathizer
Jalloh served in the Virginia National Guard as a combat engineer from April 2009 to April 2015, leaving with an honorable discharge at the rank of specialist. However, during his service, his views began to shift. According to Department of Justice documents from his 2017 trial, Jalloh started listening to online lectures by Anwar al-Aulaqi, an Al-Qaeda cleric. This exposure led him down a path of extremism.
He was arrested on July 3, 2016, for attempting to fund ISIS and trying to acquire weapons for a potential attack on U.S. soil. Federal prosecutors revealed that Jalloh had praised the 2015 terrorist attack in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where five U.S. service members were killed. He also admitted to contemplating a similar attack to the one at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009, which killed 13 people.
2017 Conviction: Jalloh was sentenced to 11 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Prosecutors had originally requested a 20-year sentence.
A Plea for Leniency and a Contradictory Path
During his sentencing in 2017, Jalloh presented a starkly different image of himself. In a letter to the judge, he expressed deep regret and a renewed love for the United States, the country he said had saved his family.
"I reject and deplore terrorism and any groups associated with it, especially ISIL. I hate how I allowed myself to be manipulated... I feel like a complete idiot for accepting such a superficial and dishonest interpretation of Islam," Jalloh wrote.
He described his decision to join the National Guard while attending Old Dominion University as a way to "give back" and protect the nation. "I wanted to be a good soldier and make my family proud," his letter stated. He also pledged to make it his "life’s mission" to speak out against ISIS and prevent others from being radicalized.
However, prosecutors at the time painted a different picture, arguing his commitment to violent ideology was strong. "The defendant was fully aware of what he was doing, and the consequences of those actions," they wrote in a sentencing memorandum. "His only misgivings seemed to be a fear that he would waver at the critical moment."
U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady ultimately sentenced him to 11 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Jalloh was released in December 2024, having served a significant portion of that sentence.
The Aftermath and Federal Investigation
The shooting has left the ODU community in mourning and raised serious questions about the monitoring of individuals with past terrorism convictions. The FBI's involvement underscores the gravity of the attack.
"Our Joint Terrorism Task Force is fully engaged, embedded with local authorities, and providing all resources necessary in the investigation," FBI Director Patel confirmed in his statement. He urged the public to pray for the victims, their families, and the ODU community as they navigate the aftermath of the tragedy.
As the investigation continues, officials will work to understand Jalloh's activities since his release from prison and what ultimately led him back to the campus he once attended, this time as an attacker.