Lt Col Brandon Shah identified as instructor killed in Old Dominion University shooting

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA: Lt Col Brandon Shah was identified as the instructor killed in a deadly shooting at Old Dominion University on Thursday, March 12, according to officials and a statement from Voorhees University. 

Police responded to reports of an active shooter around 10:43 am at Constant Hall on the university’s campus. Authorities said the suspect allegedly entered a classroom and opened fire after confirming it was an Army ROTC class.

Suspect opens fire inside Old Dominion ROTC class

Authorities said Jalloh entered a classroom in Constant Hall and asked whether it was an ROTC class. After receiving confirmation, he opened fire, fatally shooting instructor Brandon Shah, a retired US Army officer.

During a press conference, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said the suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar” before opening fire.

Shah’s death was confirmed by Voorhees University in a Facebook post. The university said the victim had close ties to its community through family.

"This tragedy is felt especially close to home for us, as the victim, Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah, was the son-in-law of Voorhees University Trustee and alumnus Dr Dan Martin," the university wrote. "We lift Dr Martin and his family in our thoughts and prayers during this time of unimaginable loss." 

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger also mourned the loss of the ROTC instructor. “Lt Col Brandon Shah was killed today in his classroom at Old Dominion University. A devoted ROTC instructor, Lt Col Shah didn’t just lead a life of service to our country, he taught and led others to follow that path.”

She added, “I am grateful for his example, deeply saddened by his death, and praying for his family. Amid this tragedy, I thank the brave students, first responders, and law enforcement officers who responded quickly to today’s horrific attack."

Lt Col Brandon Shah’s military service and honors

Shah was a Virginia native from Staunton and an alumnus of Old Dominion University. He enlisted in the US Army in 2003 as an aviation operations specialist and later reached the rank of sergeant before transitioning to an officer role.

After graduating from Old Dominion University in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in military science, Shah was commissioned into the Army.

He served in several major deployments, including Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and a rotation supporting Atlantic Resolve. Over the course of his military career, Shah logged more than 1,200 flight hours in three different aircraft and completed over 600 combat flight hours.

Shah later returned to Old Dominion University in the summer of 2022 to lead the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion as Professor of Military Science.

His education also included an MBA from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Kansas.

Among his military honors were the Bronze Star, Air Medal with Valor, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and several aviation and combat badges.

ROTC student stops suspect during ODU shooting

An ROTC student reportedly intervened during the attack and stabbed Jalloh, preventing further casualties, according to the New York Post. The student has not been publicly identified.

“It actually deserves a valorous award. If not a bronze star, perhaps an army commendation medal with V. There was combat involved against an enemy combatant so it well exceeds what is expected for a soldiers medal,” one person wrote.

Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin also reacted to the killing on social media, writing, “Makes me sick. Survives all of that just to be murdered on US soil by someone who should have never been on the streets. RIP.”

“All of a sudden, I hear like just a bunch of bodies hitting each other like this loud altercation,” one student, only identified as Calvin, told 13NewsNow.