A violent attack inside a Virginia college classroom was brought to an abrupt end Thursday after a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadet confronted and fatally stabbed a gunman who had opened fire, authorities say, stopping what investigators believe could have become a far deadlier tragedy.
Officials say the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Mohamed Jalloh, entered a classroom on campus and asked whether it was an ROTC class. Moments later, he opened fire, killing an instructor and wounding two students.
Investigators say the situation could have quickly spiraled into a much larger massacre if not for the swift action of a cadet who rushed the attacker. According to reporting cited by the New York Post, the cadet stabbed the gunman during the confrontation, ending the attack before additional people could be harmed.
Authorities have not publicly identified the cadet who intervened.
Federal officials say the shooting is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism. Jalloh had previously been convicted of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State terror group and had served time in federal prison before his release in early 2024, according to sources familiar with the investigation cited by the New York Post.
The incident occurred at Old Dominion University in Virginia, where law enforcement and federal authorities responded quickly after reports of gunfire inside a classroom.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the students who stepped forward during the attack, saying their courage likely prevented even greater loss of life.
“Earlier today, an armed individual opened fire at Old Dominion University, leaving one person dead and two others wounded,” Patel said in a post on social media. “The shooter is now deceased thanks to a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him — actions that undoubtedly saved lives along with the quick response of law enforcement.”
According to investigators, several students helped confront and restrain the gunman after the attack began.
Old Dominion University Police Chief Garrett Shelton said one of the victims was able to transport themselves to a hospital following the shooting. The two wounded students are members of the university’s Army ROTC program.
While authorities continue to examine the details surrounding the attack, records from a previous federal case reveal troubling warnings about the suspect years earlier.
A Justice Department statement from 2016 said Jalloh had contact that year with both an ISIS operative and an FBI confidential source. During those interactions, he reportedly discussed his desire to carry out a mass-casualty attack similar to the Fort Hood shooting carried out by Nidal Hasan.
Federal prosecutors at the time urged U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady to impose a 20-year prison sentence on Jalloh. Court documents show the judge instead sentenced him to 11 years in federal prison in 2017.
Jalloh was released from custody in December 2024.
The violent attack this week has renewed attention on the risks posed by radicalized individuals and the difficult challenge authorities face in preventing future acts of violence.
At the same time, officials say the bravery of the cadet and other students prevented the situation from becoming even more catastrophic.
The tragic loss of the instructor and the injuries to two students serve as a sobering reminder that acts of terror can strike far from traditional battlefields. Yet the actions of those who stepped forward in a moment of danger also highlight the quiet courage that can emerge even in the darkest moments.
