Story perspectives

ODU ROTC Class Shooting: Professor Killed, FBI Investigates Terrorism

3/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, military science professor at Old Dominion University, was fatally shot during an ROTC class on March 12, 2026.
Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Army National Guard member with terrorism convictions, opened fire.
Two students were injured during the incident as classmates subdued Jalloh.
The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
ODU canceled classes to allow the community to grieve.

History

Historical Context

The 2009 Fort Hood shooting, perpetrated by Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan, killed 13 and injured over 30, exposing serious flaws in military mental health and security protocols. The 2014 shooting by Ivan Lopez, a troubled veteran, further highlighted these vulnerabilities, prompting discussions on domestic terrorism and safety measures in military and educational environments, reflecting ongoing challenges in addressing violence within these settings.

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Story summary

Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, military science professor at Old Dominion University, was fatally shot during an ROTC class on March 12, 2026.
Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Army National Guard member with terrorism convictions, opened fire.
Two students were injured during the incident as classmates subdued Jalloh.
The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
ODU canceled classes to allow the community to grieve.

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