Active Threat Reported at Old Dominion University

Campus on lockdown as police respond to incident at Constant Hall

Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:23pm

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Old Dominion University issued an alert Thursday morning reporting an active threat on campus, urging students, faculty and staff to 'follow run-hide-fight protocols'. Many police and emergency vehicles were seen responding to the incident at Constant Hall, the center of the university's college of business.

Why it matters

Campus safety and emergency response procedures are critical issues for universities, especially in light of recent active shooter incidents at schools across the country. The situation at ODU highlights the need for thorough emergency planning and preparedness to protect students, staff and faculty.

The details

According to the alert, the active threat was reported at Constant Hall, which features over 20 lecture halls and classrooms. Norfolk Police confirmed there was an 'active incident' on campus, and an update from school officials was expected at 11:30 a.m.

  • The alert was sent to the ODU community on Thursday morning.

The players

Old Dominion University

A public research university located in Norfolk, Virginia.

Constant Hall

The center of ODU's college of business, featuring over 20 lecture halls and classrooms.

Norfolk Police

The local law enforcement agency responding to the active incident on ODU's campus.

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What’s next

School officials are expected to provide an update on the situation at 11:30 a.m.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of comprehensive emergency planning and preparedness on college campuses to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff in the event of a crisis.