At Old Dominion, courageous ROTC students are credited with preventing a fatal classroom shooting.
Brave ROTC Students Credited With Stopping Deadly Classroom Shooting at Old Dominion University
NORFOLK, Virginia — March 2026:
A tragic shooting at Old Dominion University shocked the campus community on March 12, but the quick and courageous actions of ROTC students helped prevent an even greater loss of life. Authorities say the students confronted and subdued the gunman after he opened fire inside a classroom.
What Happened
According to law enforcement officials, the shooting occurred inside Constant Hall, a building that houses the university’s College of Business. Investigators say the suspect entered a classroom and asked if it was an ROTC class. After being told yes, he opened fire on those inside.
The attack left one person dead and two others injured before students intervened and stopped the shooter.
Victim Identified
Authorities identified the victim as Brandon Shah, an ROTC instructor and U.S. Army veteran who was teaching the class at the time of the shooting. Officials and state leaders praised Shah’s service and dedication to students and the military community.
Two ROTC members were also injured during the incident, with one reported to be in critical condition shortly afterward.
Suspect and Investigation
The suspected gunman was identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Army National Guard member who had previously served prison time after pleading guilty in 2016 to attempting to provide support to the Islamic State extremist group.
Authorities say the suspect died during the confrontation with students. Investigators confirmed that police did not shoot him, and details about exactly how he was stopped are still under investigation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has launched a terrorism investigation into the attack due to the suspect’s past extremism-related conviction.
ROTC Students Praised as Heroes
Officials credited the bravery of the ROTC cadets for acting quickly during the chaotic moments of the attack. Law enforcement leaders said their actions likely prevented additional casualties.
One official noted that the students showed “extreme bravery and courage” by confronting the armed attacker in order to protect others in the room.
Campus Response
Following the incident, Old Dominion University issued an emergency alert and placed the campus on lockdown while police responded. Classes and operations were later canceled for the remainder of the day as authorities secured the scene.
University leaders also announced counseling services and support resources for students and staff affected by the tragedy.
Community Reaction
Local and federal leaders expressed condolences to the victims and praised the ROTC students for their heroism. Many officials called the students’ actions an example of courage under pressure and emphasized the importance of campus safety.
Ongoing Investigation
Federal and local investigators are continuing to examine the suspect’s background, possible motives, and whether anyone else may have been involved in the attack.
As the investigation continues, the Old Dominion community is mourning the loss of an instructor while honoring the bravery of the students who stepped forward to stop a potentially far deadlier tragedy.
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