Beloved ODU ROTC instructor Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah identified as victim in terror-related campus shooting

Army instructor Lt. Col. Brandon Shah was killed in a terror-related shooting at ODU. Read about the FBI investigation into the shooter's extremist past.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 13, 2026, 9:56 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PEOPLE and WTKR News 3

A Life of Service Cut Short in the Classroom

The Norfolk community is mourning the loss of Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah, who was identified Friday as the faculty member killed during Thursday's shooting at Old Dominion University. Shah, a Professor of Military Science for the Army ROTC program, was fatally shot inside a university classroom. According to Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, Shah was a devoted officer who transitioned from a distinguished military career to his dream job of mentoring the next generation of leaders at his alma mater.

The Background of the Attacker and Terror Investigation

The FBI has taken the lead in the investigation, officially classifying the shooting as an act of terrorism. The gunman has been identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a man with a documented history of extremist ties. According to FBI Norfolk Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans, Jalloh was previously arrested in 2016 for attempting to provide material support to ISIS. He served a prison sentence starting in 2017 and was released in 2024, only two years before carrying out the attack on the ODU campus.

Student Bravery Prevents Further Casualties

Authorities have credited a group of students with preventing a significantly higher death toll. During the active shooter incident, which began around 11 a.m., students managed to "subdue" Jalloh. According to FBI reports, the students used force to contain the shooter, resulting in his death at the scene. Federal investigators acknowledged this extreme bravery, noting that the students’ quick actions likely saved numerous lives as the gunman moved through the academic building.