Brave Students Subdue Gunman in University Attack, Preventing More Casualties
In a shocking incident at a Virginia-based university, a former member of the Army National Guard, who had previously served time behind bars for supporting the Islamic State, went on a shooting spree in a classroom. However, his violent rampage was cut short by a group of brave Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) students who managed to subdue and kill him.
The assailant, identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, had reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" before commencing the attack. One person was killed and two others were injured as a result of the shooting.
ROTC Students Show Unparalleled Bravery
The ROTC students were praised for their courage and bravery which prevented further loss of life. Jalloh was subdued by the students, rendering him "no longer alive". The exact circumstances of his death were not immediately shared with the public.
The attack at the university is currently under investigation as an act of terrorism.
Background of the Gunman
Jalloh had harbored aspirations of carrying out a terrorist attack, similar to the 2009 Fort Hood killings. In 2016, he pleaded guilty to attempting to aid the Islamic State and was subsequently sentenced to 11 years in prison. He was on supervised release, akin to probation, when he carried out the attack. The reasons for his early release from prison remain unclear.
Jalloh's relatives were unaware of his actions. His sister, Fatmatu Jalloh, expressed her shock and confusion regarding the incident, stating that she had no knowledge of the attack and had last seen her brother two days prior.
Swift Response by University Police
According to the University Police Chief, less than 10 minutes elapsed between the initial call about the shooting and the confirmation of the shooter's death. The exact cause of Jalloh's death has not yet been determined.
Of the people shot during the incident, two were part of the Army ROTC at the university. The ROTC is a program where students receive a scholarship to attend college while training to become commissioned officers in the U.S. military. They commit to serve as an officer for a period of time after they graduate.
Victim Identified
The individual who was killed during the attack was identified as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, the son-in-law of a trustee at a South Carolina-based university. Shah was an ROTC student at the university and had served as a leader for the program upon his return in 2022. Shah had a distinguished military career, having flown helicopters over Iraq, Afghanistan, and Eastern Europe as a pilot.
Jalloh's National Guard Service and Islamic State Connections
Jalloh, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Sierra Leone, served as a specialist in the Virginia Army National Guard from 2009 until 2015, when he was honorably discharged. He quit the National Guard after being influenced by the teachings of radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.
During a sting operation launched in 2016, Jalloh expressed his desire to carry out an attack similar to the 2009 shootings at Fort Hood. He had tried to donate $500 to the Islamic State, but the money ended up in an account controlled by the authorities. Jalloh also attempted to purchase an assault rifle, but was arrested before he could carry out any attack.
Despite attempts by the Justice Department to seek a 20-year prison sentence for Jalloh, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison with credit for time served and five years of supervised release. He was ordered to participate in programs for substance abuse and mental health treatment.
Aftermath of the Shooting
Following the incident, one injured individual remained in critical condition while the other had been treated and released. The university suspended operations and cancelled classes on its main campus.
The university president expressed his gratitude for the swift emergency response and extended his thoughts and prayers to those impacted. The university, located in coastal Norfolk, is home to approximately 24,000 students, nearly 30% of whom are military-affiliated.