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Sterling Today
By the People, for the People
Former National Guardsman With ISIS Ties Identified as ODU Shooter
Mohammad Jollah, previously convicted of supporting ISIS, opened fire at Old Dominion University, injuring two before being killed by police.
Mar. 12, 2026 at 7:53pm
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A former Army National Guardsman previously convicted of providing material support to ISIS has been identified as the gunman who opened fire at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, injuring two people before being killed by police. Mohammad Jollah, 36, had recently returned from a six-month trip to Africa where he met with ISIS members in Nigeria and began communicating with an ISIS member who later brokered his meeting with an FBI informant in 2016.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism and the challenges law enforcement face in monitoring and preventing attacks by individuals with known ties to extremist groups. The shooting at ODU has raised concerns about campus safety and the potential for radicalized individuals to carry out violence, even after serving prison sentences.
The details
According to court documents, in 2016 Jollah met with an FBI informant and said he was a former member of the Virginia Army National Guard who had decided not to re-enlist after hearing lectures by the late Al-Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki. Jollah had also recently returned from a trip to Africa where he met with ISIS members in Nigeria and began communicating online with an ISIS member who later brokered his meeting with the informant. Jollah told the informant he had regularly thought about conducting an attack and had been close to doing so at one point.
- In 2017, Jollah was sentenced to 11 years in prison and 5 years of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to ISIS.
- On March 12, 2026, Jollah opened fire at Old Dominion University's Constant Hall, injuring two people before being killed by police.
The players
Mohammad Jollah
A 36-year-old former Army National Guardsman previously convicted of providing material support to ISIS.
Old Dominion University
A public university located in Norfolk, Virginia with an enrollment of nearly 24,000 students.
FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which provided assistance and is working with local authorities in responding to the shooting.
What they’re saying
“FBI personnel are providing assistance and working with local authorities responding to the shooting at Old Dominion University. We will update as able.”
— Kash Patel, FBI Director
What’s next
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine Jollah's full motivations and any potential accomplices. The university has canceled classes and operations for the remainder of the day as the campus community grapples with the incident.
The takeaway
This shooting underscores the continued threat of domestic terrorism and the challenges law enforcement face in monitoring and preventing attacks by individuals with known ties to extremist groups, even after they have served prison sentences. It has raised urgent questions about campus safety and the need for robust security measures to protect students and faculty.
