ROTC Cadets Recount Heroic Actions of Instructor Killed in Old Dominion Shooting

Army Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah died after wrestling with gunman who opened fire on class

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:04am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a bullet casing or other small piece of crime scene evidence, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually illustrates the tragic events at Old Dominion University.The aftermath of a deadly shooting on a college campus exposes the harsh realities of gun violence and the bravery of those who confront it.Norfolk Today

ROTC cadets at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, recounted the harrowing events of March 12 when a gunman opened fire on their class, fatally shooting their instructor, Army Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah. The cadets described how Shah lunged at the shooter, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, and engaged in a struggle that allowed the students to subdue Jalloh using their pocketknives. Though Shah was mortally wounded, his actions were credited with saving the lives of the cadets present.

Why it matters

The shooting at Old Dominion University has raised concerns about campus safety and the threat of extremism, as the gunman, Jalloh, had previously been convicted of supporting ISIS. The heroic actions of Lt. Col. Shah in confronting the shooter have been praised, highlighting the bravery of military instructors who put themselves in harm's way to protect their students.

The details

According to the ROTC cadets, Jalloh entered the classroom and asked if it was an ROTC class before pulling out a Glock handgun and opening fire. Lt. Col. Shah immediately lunged at Jalloh and the two men began to struggle. During the fight, several cadets used their pocketknives to stab Jalloh, eventually disarming him. Though Shah was shot in the upper thigh, the cadets applied a tourniquet using a belt until police arrived. Tragically, Shah succumbed to his injuries.

  • The shooting occurred on March 12, 2026 at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
  • Lt. Col. Shah died from his injuries sustained in the shooting.

The players

Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah

The Army ROTC instructor at Old Dominion University who was fatally shot while wrestling with the gunman to protect his students.

Mohamed Bailor Jalloh

The 36-year-old gunman who opened fire on the ROTC class, having previously been convicted of supporting ISIS.

Louis Ancheta

An ROTC cadet who used his pocketknife to stab Jalloh during the struggle for the gun.

Oshea Bego

An ROTC cadet who recounted the events of the shooting in a video.

Samora Robinson

An ROTC cadet who described the class's initial reaction to the gunfire.

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What they’re saying

“If he didn't lunge at him, you know, I wouldn't be here right now.”

— Jah-Ire Urtarte, ROTC Cadet

“Col. Shah finally turns him around. So then after that, I'm like, I'm ready, so I just go in there. Just start stabbing him. As I'm stabbing him, other cadets jump in.”

— Louis Ancheta, ROTC Cadet

“He saw the best in us.”

— Jah-Ire Urtarte, ROTC Cadet

What’s next

Authorities continue to investigate the shooting and the background of the gunman, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, to determine a motive and any potential accomplices.

The takeaway

The heroic actions of Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah, who sacrificed his own life to protect his ROTC students, have been widely praised. This tragic incident highlights the ongoing threat of extremism and the bravery of those who put themselves in harm's way to keep others safe.