ODU ROTC Cadets Recount Heroic Actions During Campus Attack

Students describe how they subdued the gunman and saved lives, remembering their instructor Lt. Col. Brandon Shah as a hero.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:22am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a military-style knife against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the weapon used by the cadets to subdue the gunman during the attack.The ROTC cadets' quick thinking and bravery, including the use of a knife, helped them overpower the shooter and save lives.Norfolk Today

In the aftermath of the March 12 terror attack at Old Dominion University, ROTC cadets who were inside the classroom are speaking out for the first time about their harrowing experiences. They recounted how their instructor, Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, bravely attacked the gunman despite being shot, giving the other students the chance to wrestle the suspect to the ground and secure the weapon. The cadets praised Lt. Col. Shah's heroism, saying his actions saved many lives that day.

Why it matters

The bravery and quick thinking displayed by the ODU ROTC cadets during this attack has drawn national attention, highlighting the importance of emergency preparedness and the role that trained individuals can play in responding to active shooter situations. This incident also underscores the sacrifices made by members of the military, even in non-combat settings.

The details

According to the cadets' accounts, a man later identified as fellow ODU student Mohamed Jalloh walked into their ROTC classroom, asked if it was an ROTC class, and then opened fire. As students dropped to the ground and hid under desks, Lt. Col. Shah, who had already been shot, attacked the gunman. Several cadets, including Louis Ancheta and Jeremy Rawlinson, then jumped in to help subdue Jalloh and secure the weapon. Ancheta said he was shot in the chest during the struggle but continued fighting. The cadets credited Lt. Col. Shah's heroic actions with giving them the opportunity to overpower the shooter.

  • The attack occurred on March 12, 2026.
  • Weeks after the incident, the ROTC cadets spoke out about their experiences for the first time in a video posted on April 9, 2026.

The players

Lt. Col. Brandon Shah

The ROTC instructor at Old Dominion University who attacked the gunman despite being shot, allowing the other cadets to subdue the shooter and save lives.

Mohamed Jalloh

The ODU student identified as the gunman who opened fire in the ROTC classroom.

Louis Ancheta

An ODU ROTC cadet who jumped in to help subdue the gunman, even after being shot in the chest.

Jeremy Rawlinson

An ODU ROTC cadet who assisted in wrestling the gunman to the ground and securing the weapon.

Oshea Bego

An ODU ROTC cadet who remembered Lt. Col. Shah's promise to take care of him.

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What they’re saying

“He's a hero. He lunged at him, just wrestled with him, tried to save us.”

— Louis Ancheta, ODU ROTC Cadet

“Colonel Shah used the last of his strength to tackle that guy, and it gave us just enough time that we needed to be able to get on him.”

— Jeremy Rawlinson, ODU ROTC Cadet

“One of the last things he told my mom when they met, this summer, was that he would take care of me. He followed through on that word.”

— Oshea Bego, ODU ROTC Cadet

What’s next

The ODU community is planning a memorial service to honor Lt. Col. Shah's heroism and the bravery of the ROTC cadets involved in the incident.

The takeaway

This attack highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and the critical role that trained individuals can play in responding to active shooter situations. The actions of the ODU ROTC cadets, led by their heroic instructor Lt. Col. Shah, saved lives and demonstrated the selflessness and courage of those who serve.