The FBI has opened a terrorism investigation into Thursday’s shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, which killed one man and wounded two other U.S. military personnel, FBI officials said.
The gunman, who pleaded guilty in 2016 to federal charges of providing material support to terrorists and was released from prison in 2024, was killed shortly after the shooting, FBI officials said. The suspect died at the hands of a group of Reserve Officer Training Corps students who intervened and captured him.
He was not shot, FBI Special Agent in Charge Dominic Evans said at an afternoon news conference. CNN reported that the suspect opened fire after walking into the classroom and asking if it was an ROTC class.
“Our Joint Terrorism Task Force is fully engaged, embedded with local authorities and providing all necessary resources,” FBI Director Kash Patel said earlier on social media.
A law enforcement official identified the suspect as Mohamed Jallow.
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Two victims were transported to a hospital, where one died, while a third person, believed to be the victim, was treated at another hospital, Old Dominion Police Chief Garrett Shelton said. All three were associated with the university, he said.
Shelton said authorities will not identify the deceased victim until the family is notified.
In a post on its website, the university said there was no longer a threat but urged the public to avoid the scene of the shooting, where emergency crews continued to work.
Classes and campus operations are canceled for the rest of the day.
The university’s initial alert said a gunman opened fire in a classroom in the university’s College of Business shortly before 10:49 a.m.
Founded in 1930, the university serves about 24,000 students, according to its website.
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll posted on X that he was “deeply saddened” to hear of the shooting and the two wounded military personnel.
University President Brian Hemphill said in a statement to the school community that Old Dominion “faced a tragedy” and thanked police and emergency responders for their quick intervention.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger wrote on Facebook that she has spoken with university leadership and is mobilizing state support to help the situation.
(With France 24 Reuters)
(tags to translate)America
