Gunman is one victim in shooting at US Old Dominion University | Gun violence news

Officials say the suspect opened fire inside the university building, which the FBI is investigating as an ‘act of terrorism’.

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 terrorism.”

Hours after Thursday’s shooting, the Federal Bureau of Investigations identified the gunman as Mohammad Baylor Jalloh, a former member of the Army National Guard who pleaded guilty in 2016 to trying to provide material support to ISIL (ISIS).

Jallo opened fire shortly before 10:49 a.m. local time (14:49 GMT) in Constant Hall, the center of the university’s ⁠College of Business, officials said.

In a post Thursday afternoon, FBI Director Kash Patel said the students helped subdue Jaloh, who was found dead at the scene. It was not immediately clear how he was killed.

“The shooter is now dead thanks to a group of brave students who captured him — actions that, along with the quick response of law enforcement, undoubtedly saved lives,” Patel said.

Old Dominion University Police Chief Garrett Shelton later confirmed that one victim had died. It is known that the condition of the other two is stable.

Patel said the shooting was being investigated as an “act of terrorism”.

Jaloh was sentenced to 11 years in prison and was released from federal custody in December 2024.

Increased alertness

The incident comes as the U.S. is on high alert for domestic attacks after Israel launched a war with Iran on February 27.

Shortly after the attack, a man drove to a synagogue in Michigan outside Detroit, authorities said. He died on the spot after an exchange of fire with security personnel.

Officials said no one else was injured in the attack. There were no immediate indications that the two incidents were related.

In a message to the university community, Old Dominion University President Brian Hemphill said the school had faced a tragedy on campus.

“The safety of our campus community is my top priority,” Hemphill wrote. “We are deeply committed to protecting all monarchs and ensuring a safe learning, living and working environment at all times.”

Old Dominion University in coastal Norfolk has about 24,000 students, 17,500 of whom are undergraduates.

Located near Norfolk Naval Station, the world’s largest naval base.

About 30 percent of students are affiliated with the military.

US gun violence remains high

Gun violence in the US is stubbornly high and has occurred frequently in US schools.

The advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety found that since the beginning of 2026, there have been at least 19 shootings on campuses from elementary schools to universities.

However, Trace News, a site that tracks gun violence, noted that shootings — not including suicides — have declined in recent years after spiking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, in 2025, 110 people will be shot a day in the US.

In December, two people were killed in a shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, prompting a weeks-long manhunt.

Earlier that month, a man was also killed in a shooting at Kentucky State University.