A deadly shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, on March 12, 2026, left one person dead and two others wounded before students inside the classroom intervened and subdued the attacker. Authorities say members of the university’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) confronted the gunman during the incident, preventing further casualties.
The shooting occurred inside Constant Hall shortly before 11 a.m., prompting emergency alerts across the campus warning students and staff about an active threat. The university instructed people to shelter in place and follow “run, hide, fight” guidance while law enforcement responded to the scene. Old Dominion University later canceled classes for the remainder of the day and made counseling services available to students and staff affected by the violence.
Old Dominion University is a public research university in Norfolk with more than 23,000 students enrolled. The institution hosts several ROTC programs that train future military officers while they complete undergraduate degrees.
Police from multiple agencies responded quickly to the campus after the emergency alerts were issued. Officers secured the building and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack while the campus remained under temporary lockdown.
Students Confront the Gunman
According to investigators, the attacker entered a classroom and asked whether it was an ROTC class before opening fire and shouting “Allahu Akbar.” The instructor in the room, described as a retired military officer, was killed during the attack. At least two other individuals were injured by gunfire. Emergency responders transported the wounded victims to a hospital shortly after the shooting.
Students in the classroom reacted quickly once the shooting began. Authorities say several ROTC cadets confronted the gunman and physically subdued him before police arrived. Officials later confirmed that the suspect died during that confrontation and that he was not shot by the students who intervened. Investigators have not released details about the exact cause of death while the investigation continues.
Federal officials credited the cadets’ actions with preventing additional casualties. Representatives from the FBI’s Norfolk field office said the students demonstrated “extreme bravery and courage” by confronting the attacker while the situation was still unfolding. Authorities have not publicly identified the students who subdued the gunman.
Suspect Previously Convicted in Terrorism Case
Federal authorities identified the suspect as Mohamed Jalloh, a 36-year-old former member of the Virginia Army National Guard. Investigators say Jalloh had previously pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State terrorist group. Prosecutors said he attempted to travel overseas to join the organization before being arrested by federal authorities.
Jalloh was sentenced to approximately 11 years in federal prison after pleading guilty in the terrorism case. Reporting indicates he was released from federal custody in December 2024 after completing that sentence.
Authorities have also reported that Jalloh was a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Sierra Leone. Because of that status, deportation would not automatically occur after a criminal conviction.
Under U.S. law, the government can revoke naturalized citizenship through a legal process known as denaturalization if prosecutors prove that citizenship was obtained illegally or through fraud, including concealing involvement in terrorism during the naturalization process. However, that process requires a separate civil court proceeding and does not occur automatically following a criminal conviction. Authorities have not publicly indicated whether federal prosecutors pursued any denaturalization proceedings in Jalloh’s case following his conviction. Because of the suspect’s prior conviction and statements during the attack, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the shooting as a potential act of terrorism.
Investigation Continues as Officials Praise Student Response
Law enforcement officials say the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing as federal and local authorities review evidence and interview witnesses who were present during the incident. The FBI and local police are continuing to examine the suspect’s background, possible motives, and the events leading up to the attack.
Officials emphasized that the quick response from students inside the classroom played a critical role in preventing the attack from becoming more deadly. By the time police arrived and secured the building, the attacker had already been subdued and was no longer a threat.
Authorities have not released further details about how the confrontation between the ROTC cadets and the attacker unfolded. Investigators say the case remains under active review as officials work to determine the full timeline of events surrounding the shooting.
