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Norfolk District Attorney Defends Controversial Gun Control Comments Following University Shooting
Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi is standing firmly behind his controversial statements following Thursday’s mass shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where he placed blame on pro-gun lawmakers and judges rather than focusing on the shooter’s background.
“I absolutely stand by what I said. It is the truth, no matter how much the gun lobby wants to deny it,” Fatehi told Fox News Digital when questioned about his remarks, despite the shooter’s history of supporting Islamic terrorism.
The gunman, identified as Mohamed Jalloh, was a former National Guardsman and naturalized citizen from Sierra Leone who had previously been sentenced in 2017 for attempting to provide material support to ISIS. According to reports, he appears to have been released by the federal Bureau of Prisons in late 2024 during the Biden administration.
During a post-shooting press conference, Fatehi, who has served as Norfolk’s top prosecutor since 2022, delivered unprompted remarks about who should bear responsibility for the tragedy.
“Until there is the political will to break the spell of the cult of gun absolutism, you will see more incidents like this,” Fatehi said. “So, if you are looking for somebody to blame, don’t look at anybody up here, look at our lawmakers who don’t have the courage to implement sensible gun control measures, look to a Supreme Court that enables them, and do something about it.”
The prosecutor elaborated on his position, stating, “No matter the ideology of an attacker, that attacker is more dangerous with a gun than without one.” He characterized gun violence as a “national sickness,” claiming that in America, “people care more about guns than they care about 6-year-old children… synagogue worshipers… and college students.”
Fatehi’s comments have drawn significant backlash on social media, particularly from conservative commentators. BearingArms editor Cam Edwards posted on X (formerly Twitter): “I really try not to cuss here, but Fatehi can f— right off with this statement.” Other critics pointed to the shooter’s terrorist connections as the more relevant factor in the attack.
The shooting occurred Thursday morning, with police responding around 10:49 a.m. to reports of gunfire near ROTC cadets on campus. According to the New York Post, Jalloh was specifically targeting ROTC members before one eventually intervened, stabbing and killing the suspect. ODU Police Chief Garrett Shelton confirmed one victim died from the shooting, along with the gunman, while two others were injured.
FBI Director Kash Patel indicated federal authorities are investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
Records show that Fatehi’s campaign has received substantial support from George Soros-affiliated political action committees. The Soros-subsidized Justice and Public Safety PAC and Democracy PAC contributed over $650,000 combined to his campaign between 2021 and 2025, according to a Fox News Digital review.
The Capital Research Center, a conservative group that tracks nonprofit spending, reports that between 2012 and 2022, Soros spent approximately $40 million on the Justice and Public Safety PAC, known for backing progressive prosecutors across the country. Other notable recipients include former San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, Chicago District Attorney Kim Foxx, and Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon.
As the investigation continues, Fatehi’s comments have intensified the debate over how to address mass shootings in America, with stark divisions between those who emphasize gun control and those who focus on terrorism and ideological motivations behind such attacks.
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7 Comments
Appreciate the DA’s intention to address root causes, but his statements seem premature and overly partisan. A fair, thorough investigation is needed to understand the full context before drawing conclusions about responsibility. Nuanced discussions, not political finger-pointing, are required.
The DA’s comments are concerning. While gun control is a valid policy debate, making unsubstantiated links to lawmakers undermines trust in the justice system. I hope the investigation provides clarity on this specific case without politicizing the tragedy.
Curious to learn more about the shooter’s history and how he was able to obtain firearms despite his past. Regardless of one’s views on gun laws, the priority should be understanding this specific case and implementing targeted solutions, not making broad political accusations.
The DA’s comments seem overly politicized. While gun control is a complex topic, jumping to blame lawmakers before the facts are clear is unwise. We need a thoughtful, nuanced discussion on how to prevent such tragedies, not partisan finger-pointing.
Interesting take by the Norfolk DA, but linking this shooting to pro-gun lawmakers seems like a stretch without more evidence. We should focus on the shooter’s disturbing background and how he slipped through the cracks, not make it a political issue.
The DA’s remarks are concerning. While gun violence is a serious issue, making unsubstantiated connections to lawmakers undermines public trust. I hope the investigation provides clear answers on the shooter’s motives and path to obtaining weapons, without politicizing the tragedy.
I appreciate the DA’s desire to address the root causes of gun violence, but his statements seem premature and overly partisan. A fair and thorough investigation is needed to understand the full context before drawing conclusions about responsibility.