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The suspect in the fatal shooting at Old Dominion University was previously convicted of providing material support to ISIS and had received a reduced prison sentence before his release earlier this year, court records reveal.
Mohamed Jalloh, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Sierra Leone, entered a classroom at the Norfolk campus on Thursday and opened fire after confirming it was an ROTC class, killing Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. According to the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, ROTC cadets physically subdued Jalloh during the attack, resulting in the suspect’s death.
“The horrific tragedy that occurred today on ODU’s campus never should have happened,” said Rep. Jennifer Kiggans, a Virginia Republican.
Court documents show Jalloh was arrested in 2016 for providing material support to ISIS. Federal prosecutors had requested a 20-year prison sentence, but Senior U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady instead sentenced him to 132 months—approximately 11 years. Jalloh was released in 2024.
The case details reveal that a now-deceased ISIS member overseas had arranged contact between Jalloh and an individual he believed to be a fellow supporter, but who was actually an FBI confidential human source. Investigators reported that Jalloh had traveled to Nigeria as part of the terrorist plot.
According to prosecutors, Jalloh had told the FBI source that he decided not to renew his enlistment with the Virginia Army National Guard after listening to lectures from Anwar al-Awlaki, the American-born al Qaeda terrorist killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2011.
“The defendant was fully aware of what he was doing and the consequences of those actions. His only misgivings seemed to be a fear that he would waver at the critical moment,” prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memorandum.
Despite the prosecution’s push for the maximum sentence, Judge O’Grady imposed the shorter term that included requirements for mental health treatment, substance abuse testing, and prohibitions on contact with terrorist organizations. Upon his release, Jalloh was also subject to computer monitoring during probation.
Former federal prosecutor William Shipley noted on social media that the judge who imposed the reduced sentence was a George W. Bush appointee who took senior status in June 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This timing meant that President Trump was unable to get a replacement confirmed before leaving office.
The shooting at Old Dominion University comes amid growing concerns about potential terrorist threats on American soil. When asked whether recent attacks signal a resurgence of ISIS-related threats or if immigration policies played a role, a spokesperson for National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent referenced his recent statement following the beginning of military operations against Iran.
“As the Iran conflict continues to unfold, ODNI’s National Counterterrorism Center is engaged and operating at full capacity, 24/7,” Kent said. “We are tracking developments in real time, assessing any potential risks to the homeland, identifying emerging threats and providing timely, actionable intelligence to the White House, law enforcement and interagency partners to detect and prevent attacks against the American people.”
Kent emphasized that counterterrorism officials remain “acutely aware” and focused on addressing what he described as “persistent” threats posed by individuals with terrorist ties who entered the country during the previous administration.
“Constant vigilance is a must. Stay aware of your surroundings, and if you see something suspicious, report it immediately to local law enforcement. Every one of us has a role to play in keeping this nation secure,” Kent added.
The Department of Justice has stated there are “no known or credible threats to the homeland” at this time, though federal agents are “maintaining a constant state of vigilance to keep Americans safe.”
The tragedy at Old Dominion University has reignited debates about sentencing guidelines for terrorism-related offenses and the effectiveness of monitoring systems for those with extremist ties after their release from prison.
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7 Comments
This is a tragic and deeply concerning incident. My heart goes out to the victim’s family and the ROTC community. We need to understand how this convicted ISIS supporter was able to be released early and then carry out such a heinous attack.
I’m appalled that someone with this background was able to be released early and then commit such a horrific act of violence. We need to closely examine the sentencing guidelines and release policies for terrorism-related crimes to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.
Reducing the sentence of someone convicted of supporting ISIS seems incredibly risky and short-sighted in hindsight. This is a major failure that requires a full investigation and accountability to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
The details of this case raise major red flags about the criminal justice system’s handling of terrorism-related cases. Releasing a convicted ISIS supporter early is a decision that clearly put public safety at risk and enabled this tragic outcome.
This is an incredibly tragic and disturbing incident. My heart goes out to the victim’s family and the entire ROTC community at ODU. We need to closely examine how this convicted ISIS supporter was able to be released early and carry out such a heinous attack.
The details of this case raise serious questions about the criminal justice system’s handling of terrorism-related cases. Reducing the sentence of someone convicted of supporting ISIS seems like a highly risky and questionable decision in hindsight.
It’s unacceptable that a convicted ISIS supporter was released early and then went on to murder an ROTC instructor. This is a major failure that demands a thorough investigation and accountability. Our priority must be public safety, not leniency for extremists.