Gunman, one victim dead in shooting at Old Dominion University in US
Authorities say suspect opened fire in a university building, FBI investigating as ‘act of terror’.
Authorities have announced that one victim has died after a gunman opened fire at Old Dominion University in Virginia, in an attack being investigated as an “act of terror”.
Hours after the shooting on Thursday, the Federal Bureau of Investigations identified the gunman as as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former member of the Army National Guard who pleaded guilty in 2016 of attempting to provide material support for ISIL (ISIS).
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Authorities said Jalloh opened fire shortly before 10:49am local time (14:49 GMT) in Constant Hall, the centre of the university’s college of business.
In a post on X Thursday afternoon, FBI Director Kash Patel said students had helped to subdue Jalloh, who was found dead at the scene. How he was killed was not immediately clear.
“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 said.
Old Dominion University Police Chief Garrett Shelton later confirmed that one victim had died. Two others appeared to be in stable condition.
Patel added that the shooting was being investigated as an “act of terrorism”.
Jalloh was sentenced to 11 years in prison and was released from federal custody in December 2024.
Heightened alert
The incident came as the US has been on high alert for domestic attacks after it launched a war with Iran alongside Israel on February 27.
Shortly after the attack, authorities said an individual drove a vehicle into a synagogue in Michigan outside of Detroit. He was found dead at the scene after exchanging fire with security guards.
Authorities said no one else was injured in the attack. There was not any immediate indication the two incidents were related.
In a message to the university community, Old Dominion University President Brian Hemphill said the school faced a tragedy on campus.
“The safety of our campus community is my top priority,” Hemphill wrote. “We are deeply committed to safeguarding all Monarchs and ensuring a secure learning, living, and working environment at all times.”
Located in coastal Norfolk, Old Dominion University has about 24,000 students, 17,500 of them undergraduates.
Located near Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval station in the world.
About 30 percent of students are affiliated with the military.
US gun violence remains high
Gun violence in the US has remained stubbornly high and has often occurred at US schools.
The advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety found that there have been at least 19 instances of gunfire on campuses, from elementary schools to universities, since the start of 2026.
However, the Trace news site, which tracks gun violence, also noted that shootings — not including suicides — have dropped in recent years after spiking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, 110 people were shot per day in the US in 2025.
In December, two people were killed in a shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, that prompted a weeks-long manhunt.
Earlier that month, one person was also killed in a shooting at Kentucky State University.
