Beloved Army officer identified as victim killed in Old Dominion University shooting

NORFOLK, Va. — Authorities have identified Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a professor of military science and ROTC instructor, as the victim killed in Thursday’s shooting at Old Dominion University, according to multiple reports.

Old Dominion Shooting : Police Responded to Active‑Shooter Reports

Police received calls about an active shooter around 10:43 a.m. inside Constant Hall on ODU’s campus, according to WTKR.

Officers and emergency crews arrived within minutes as students sheltered in place.

Two additional victims were injured. One remained in critical condition, while the other was treated and released, according to NBC News.

Old Dominion Shooting: ROTC Students Subdued the Gunman

The shooter, identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, walked into a class at Constant Hall, which is part of the College of Business at Old Dominion, and asked if it was an ROTC class, according to CBS News

When someone responded that it was, the shooter opened fire, fatally injuring the class instructor, who was a retired Army officer.

ROTC students confronted and subdued the shooter, preventing further casualties, according to the FBI’s Norfolk field office.

Officials said the students acted with “extreme bravery and courage.”

Suspect Was a Former National Guard

Authorities say Jalloh had prior ties to ISIS and previously served in the Army National Guard.

In February 2017, Jalloh was sentenced to 11 years in prison, according to the Justice Department, and was released early in December 2024, according to his FBI prison records.

Victim Remembered as Devoted Instructor

Shah, 41, was a Virginia native and ODU alumnus. He enlisted in 2003 as an aviation operations specialist and later earned his commission at ODU in 2007, according to his university profile.

He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Atlantic Resolve, logging more than 1,200 flight hours and over 600 combat hours, according to ODU records.

Shah also held:

• MBA, University of Georgia
• MS in Engineering Management, University of Kansas
• Multiple aviation and combat awards, including the Senior Army Aviator Badge and Combat Action Badge

He returned to ODU in 2022 to lead the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion.

Community and Officials React

In a social media post Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger called Shah a “devoted instructor” who lived a life of service and inspired others to follow that path.

Voorhees University also confirmed Shah’s death, noting he was the son‑in‑law of a university trustee.

Investigation Continues

Federal officials are investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism, according to the Associated Press.

Classes were canceled Friday as the campus community mourned Shah’s death.