FBI Director Calls Old Dominion Shooting an 'Act of Terrorism'

Kash Patel says FBI investigating the attack that left one dead and two injured.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:24pm

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FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the FBI is investigating the shooting at Old Dominion University as an act of terrorism. The shooter, identified as 36-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, was a former National Guardsman who was previously convicted of attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Patel said the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is fully engaged with local authorities in the investigation.

Why it matters

The Old Dominion shooting is the latest in a string of attacks by individuals with ties to extremist groups, raising concerns about domestic terrorism and the ability of law enforcement to monitor and prevent such incidents.

The details

According to reports, the shooter opened fire on the Old Dominion University campus, leaving one person dead and two others wounded. The shooter was subdued and killed by a group of brave students. Authorities say the shooter, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, was a former National Guardsman who was convicted in 2017 of attempting to provide material support to ISIS.

  • The shooting occurred earlier today at Old Dominion University.
  • In 2016, Jalloh was arrested for attempting to provide material support to ISIS.
  • In 2017, Jalloh was convicted and sentenced to 11 years in prison for the ISIS-related charges.

The players

Kash Patel

The director of the FBI who announced the agency is investigating the Old Dominion shooting as an act of terrorism.

Mohamed Bailor Jalloh

The 36-year-old former National Guardsman who was the shooter in the Old Dominion University attack. Jalloh was previously convicted of attempting to provide material support to ISIS.

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What they’re saying

“Earlier today, an armed individual opened fire at Old Dominion University, leaving one person dead and two others wounded. The shooter is now deceased thanks to a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him – actions that undoubtedly saved lives along with the quick response of law enforcement. The FBI is now investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism. Our Joint Terrorism Task Force is fully engaged, embedded with local authorities, and providing all resources necessary in the investigation.”

— Kash Patel, FBI Director (X)

What’s next

The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force will continue its investigation into the shooting, working closely with local authorities to determine the shooter's motives and any potential connections to extremist groups.

The takeaway

The Old Dominion shooting highlights the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism and the need for vigilance and coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement to monitor and prevent such attacks. The actions of the brave students who subdued the shooter likely saved many lives, but the incident also raises questions about how individuals with extremist ties are able to obtain firearms and carry out these types of attacks.