Authorities identify suspect in shooting at Virginia’s Old Dominion University

Update, 5:25 p.m.:

At least one of the victims injured during the Thursday shooting on Old Dominion University’s Norfolk, Va., campus died at the hospital, ODU Police Chief Garrett Shelton said during a Thursday press conference. Shelton added that police identified another victim injured during the on-campus shooting. The third victim fled campus and drove themselves to the hospital, which is why police didn’t identify them sooner, Shelton said. The two surviving victims have stabilized, he added.

Police responded to the active shooter call just after 10:45 a.m. and found the suspected shooter deceased inside a classroom at about 10:50 a.m., Shelton said. The campus police chief confirmed that all three victims were affiliated with the university, but did not clarify whether they were faculty, staff, or students. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll released a Thursday statement identifying two injured survivors as Army personnel.

What is known about the shooter? The suspected shooter has been identified as former National Guard member Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, according to the Associated Press, citing unnamed authorities with knowledge of the situation. Jalloh pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State group. Jalloh was sentenced to 11 years in prison, but online records provided by the Federal Bureau of Prisons showed the 36-year-old was released in December 2024.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the attack would be investigated as an act of terror. Patel also praised a group of students whom he said stepped in and subdued the shooter.

Original story:

A gunman on Old Dominion University’s Norfolk, Va. campus opened fire on Thursday morning and injured at least two people, according to a Thursday statement from the school. University police and Norfolk Police responded to Constant Hall immediately, and the gunman is now deceased, the school added. The shooter's motive and the extent of the victims’ injuries were not immediately clear.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that federal investigators were assisting local authorities in the shooting response. Gov. Abigail Spanberger was also in close contact with the university leadership and offering them state support, according to a Thursday statement. Virginia Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine released separate statements acknowledging the shooting with thoughts and prayers.

WORLD reached out to the Norfolk sheriff’s office for comment, but did not hear back immediately on Thursday.