A law enforcement official has disclosed that the firearm utilised in the fatal shooting at Virginia's Old Dominion University, an incident currently under investigation as an act of terrorism, featured an obliterated serial number. This critical detail potentially hinders investigators' efforts to trace the weapon's origins and ascertain how the perpetrator, a man with a prior felony conviction, acquired it.
Complications in the Terrorism Probe
According to an official who spoke anonymously to the Associated Press, as they were not authorised to discuss the ongoing investigation, the obliteration of the serial number means investigators must now attempt to re-surface the identifier to trace the gun's history. The shooting occurred on Thursday in a classroom at the university, with the FBI identifying the shooter as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Army National Guard member.
Shooter's Background and the Attack
Jalloh, a naturalised U.S. citizen from Sierra Leone, had pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to aid the Islamic State group. FBI officials reported that he yelled "Allahu akbar" before opening fire. He was subdued and killed by ROTC students, whose bravery was praised for preventing further casualties. The attack resulted in the death of an ROTC leader, Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a professor of military science at Old Dominion University, and left two others injured.
Jalloh had been sentenced to 11 years in prison and was released from federal custody in December 2024. He was on supervised release, akin to probation, though it remains unclear why his release was moved up, as inmates can receive sentence reductions for various reasons.
Military Connections and Response
The shooter had a military background, having served as a specialist with the Virginia Army National Guard from 2009 until his honourable discharge in 2015. Conversely, the victims were connected to the military through the ROTC program. Lt. Col. Jimmy Delongchamp confirmed that two of those shot were part of the Army ROTC at Old Dominion University, a scholarship program training students to become commissioned officers.
Voorhees University in South Carolina confirmed the deceased victim was Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, the son-in-law of a university trustee. Shah, who attended Old Dominion University as an ROTC student and returned in 2022 as a program leader, had piloted helicopters in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Eastern Europe during his Army service.
Timeline and Investigation Details
Old Dominion University Police Chief Garrett Shelton stated that less than ten minutes elapsed between the initial call about the shooting in the university's business school building and responders confirming the shooter was dead. The swift response likely mitigated further harm, but the investigation into the terrorism angle continues, with the obliterated serial number presenting a significant obstacle.
This development underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in tracing firearms used in criminal acts, particularly in cases involving terrorism. The ongoing probe seeks to unravel the full circumstances behind the attack, including the weapon's procurement and the shooter's motives.
