OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
2:25 PM – Friday, March 13, 2026
The victim who was killed by a terrorist in a shooting at Old Dominion University in Virginia has been identified as a decorated military officer.
Army Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a college instructor, was killed Thursday when a gunman opened fire at Old Dominion University.
The suspect, who was found dead on campus after police responded to 911 calls, was identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former National Guardsman who was previously convicted of supporting ISIS, according to multiple reports. Jalloh was a naturalized U.S. citizen from Sierra Leone.
According to the New York Post, Jalloh asked if a classroom he stormed into was a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) class. When someone confirmed that it was, Jalloh shot the professor several times.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent Dominique Evans said that the shooting would be investigated as an act of terrorism due to Jalloh allegedly shouting “Allahu Akbar,” an Arabic phrase meaning “God is greater,” before opening fire.
A group of ROTC students reportedly tackled the suspect.
FBI Director Kash Patel said on X that the shooter was killed by “a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him – actions that undoubtedly saved lives along with the quick response of law enforcement.”
Shah enlisted in the Army in 2003 as an Aviation Operations Specialist before enrolling at ODU in 2005, the school said in a statement honoring his legacy. He received an Army commission and graduated in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.
He went on to fulfill his dream of becoming an Army pilot, flying an AH64 Apache over Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom, over Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom, and over Eastern Europe in Operation Atlantic Resolve.
According to the school, Shah “logged more than 1,200 hours, 600 of them on combat missions, in three aircraft.”
He served as Director of Operations for the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade in Savannah, Georgia, before returning to ODU in 2022 to lead the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion, where he “oversaw a nearly 50% increase in enrollment during his first year,” according to the university. It said that as Professor of Military Science and Department Chair, he took pride in watching students “turn from being a student into being a soldier-leader.”
A year later, Shah joined the Old Dominion University Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 Class. ODU President Brian O. Hemphill called him a “true hero” in a tribute released on Friday.
“Together, as Monarchs, we mourn the devasting loss of Lt. Col. Shah as we honor his life, which was marked by significant service and countless contributions. We express our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, loved ones, dear friends, trusted colleagues, and all of those impacted by this horrific tragedy,” Hemphill said.
“Shah embodied what it means to be a devoted family man, a revered leader, and heroic protector even in his final moments. He was a shining example for his students and all Monarchs,” he stated.
The school closed for the rest of the day on Thursday after Shah was killed and two of his students were injured. It remained closed on Friday, offering counseling resources to students and staff members affected by the attack. One of the two injured was reportedly in critical condition, while the other had been released from a hospital after treatment.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news alerts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
What do YOU think? Click here to jump to the comments!
Sponsored Content Below
