Suspect in Old Dominion University shooting was convicted ISIS supporter
Suspect in Old Dominion University Shooting Identified as Former ISIS Supporter
A 36-year-old man who had been previously convicted of aiding a terrorist organization has been named as the perpetrator of a campus shooting at Old Dominion University in Virginia. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, left one individual fatally wounded and two others injured before the attacker was killed by students.
FBI Investigates as Potential Terrorist Act
The FBI, through a spokesperson, confirmed the suspect as Mohammed Bailor Jalloh. During the attack, he reportedly yelled “Allahu Akbar” and was subdued by onlookers, according to authorities. The shooting took place in a classroom, and the deceased victim remains unidentified.
“Any loss of life is tragic, and violence against innocent people is completely contrary to Islamic teachings and basic human morality,” stated Ashraf Nubani, one of Jalloh’s attorneys, in an email.
Military Background and Conviction
Jalloh served as a combat engineer in the Virginia National Guard from 2009 to 2015 but did not see active duty. He was honorably discharged and later arrested in 2016 for attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Court records show he admitted guilt and received an 11-year prison term with five years of probation.
Jalloh was released in 2024. The federal probation office overseeing his supervised release did not respond to inquiries about the shooting at the time of the incident.
Plot Details and Motives
A federal sentencing memo revealed that Jalloh sent gift card codes to an undercover FBI employee, whom he believed was an ISIS operative. In 2016, he traveled to North Carolina to acquire an AK-47 for a “plot to murder US military personnel,” though the owner declined the sale. He instead purchased an AR-15 from a local gun shop, which was later used in the attack.
“This entire crime is not who I am, it’s not who I plan to be, and it’s not who I have been,” Jalloh told the court during his sentencing. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but this mistake of giving any support to the violent and extreme organization ISIS has been the most devastating one I have ever decided to make.”
Defense Perspective on Radical Ideals
His defense team characterized his “radical ideals” as a fleeting pursuit of identity and purpose, not a steadfast dedication to violence. The memo suggested his actions were driven by gullibility and lack of experience, with his interactions with ISIS and the FBI highlighting his passivity and susceptibility to influence.
The document also noted Jalloh’s life was shaped by experiences such as war, trauma, and cultural displacement. Despite these challenges, he was described as a “bright, capable, hard-working, and kind man” who had a promising future before embracing extremism.
Ryan J. Reilly covers justice issues for NBC News. Gary Grumbach, a legal affairs reporter based in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report. Tim Stelloh reports breaking news for NBC News Digital.
