Former Army National Guard Soldier with ISIS Conviction Identified as ODU Shooter
The individual responsible for the shooting at Old Dominion University in Virginia has been officially identified as 36-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh. Jalloh was a former soldier in the Army National Guard with a prior criminal conviction for providing material support to the terrorist organization ISIS.
Details of the Classroom Attack and Heroic Intervention
On Thursday, Jalloh entered a classroom inside ODU's Constant Hall building. He specifically inquired if it was a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) class. Upon receiving confirmation, he opened fire, killing the professor who was teaching the class. The professor was a retired military officer.
In a swift and brave response, an ROTC cadet present in the classroom jumped into action. The cadet managed to stab Jalloh, ultimately leading to the shooter's death. This intervention occurred after Jalloh had already fatally shot the professor. Authorities have stated the shooting is being investigated as a terror-related incident.
Jalloh's History of Extremism and Legal Troubles
Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Sierra Leone, had a documented history of extremist affiliations. After leaving the National Guard, he became a follower of Anwar al-Awlaki, the deceased leader of Al-Qaeda's branch in the Arabian Peninsula.
His connection to terrorist activities was not new. In 2017, Jalloh was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to ISIS. During a six-month stay in Africa, he connected with members of ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).
According to the Department of Justice, during one meeting on that trip—which was unknowingly observed by an FBI informant—Jalloh expressed a desire to launch his own terror attack. He told the FBI source that he believed planning an attack during the month of Ramadan, which spans from mid-February to mid-March, was "100 percent the right thing."
Failed Firearm Attempts and Recent Release
After returning to the United States, Jalloh attempted to obtain firearms. He tried and failed to purchase guns in North Carolina. He then went to a gun dealership in his native northern Virginia, where he successfully purchased an assault rifle. However, the dealership rendered the weapon inoperable before he left the premises.
Jalloh was arrested the day after this purchase. He was subsequently released in 2024. The reasons for the shortening of his original 11-year sentence are currently not known to the public.
Official Statements and Investigation Status
FBI Director Kash Patel addressed the incident, stating, "Earlier today, an armed individual opened fire at Old Dominion University, leaving one person dead and two others wounded. The shooter is now deceased thanks to a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him – actions that undoubtedly saved lives along with the quick response of law enforcement."
Patel confirmed the terrorism angle, adding, "The FBI is now investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism. Our Joint Terrorism Task Force is fully engaged, embedded with local authorities, and providing all resources necessary in the investigation."
The investigation continues as authorities piece together the full timeline of events and Jalloh's motivations, underscoring the ongoing challenges of domestic terrorism and the critical role of vigilant intervention.
