The gunman responsible for a shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, has been identified by the FBI as a former National Guard member who was previously imprisoned for connections to ISIS. The violent incident, which unfolded on Thursday morning, resulted in the death of one victim and injuries to two others, with the assailant also deceased.
Campus Violence Erupts in Academic Building
According to Old Dominion University Police Chief Garrett Shelton, the shooting occurred just before 10:49 a.m. in Constant Hall, a key academic building housing the College of Business. The gunman opened fire, creating chaos as students and faculty scrambled for safety. Chief Shelton confirmed during a news conference that one of the three victims injured in the attack has since died, while the other two are in stable condition.
"One of the victims is deceased," Shelton stated. "And we're working on getting in touch with the family at this point." The victims have not been publicly identified, but Lt. Col. Jimmy Delongchamp of the U.S. Army Cadet Command revealed that the two wounded individuals are members of the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps at ODU.
Eyewitness Accounts Describe Panic and Gunfire
Jennifer, a sophomore at the university, recounted the terrifying moments to local media, describing how she heard a commotion and people shouting, "get out, get out, get out." "All of a sudden, we heard a lot of people rumbling, starting to get up," she said. "The guy next to me, we looked at each other, we started running, and that's when we heard gunshots."
The university issued an urgent alert at 10:48 a.m. warning of an active threat in Constant Hall. By 11:30 a.m., the situation was described as an "active shooter" incident, with authorities confirming the shooter had been "neutralized." Shortly before 11:45 a.m., ODU announced there was no longer a threat on campus, though emergency personnel remained on scene.
University and Community Response
Old Dominion University, a public institution with over 23,000 students, canceled all classes and operations on its main campus for the remainder of the day. Officials urged people to avoid the area around Constant Hall as investigations continued. In response to the shooting, Norfolk Public Schools placed three elementary schools under a secure hold, ensuring the safety of students and staff.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger issued a statement on social media, expressing her close monitoring of the situation. "I have spoken with university leadership," she said. "My Administration remains in close contact with local emergency responders as state support is being mobilized to assist ODU and Norfolk." She encouraged the community to follow law enforcement guidance and thanked first responders.
FBI Involvement and Terrorism Links
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that agency personnel are assisting local authorities with the investigation. The identification of the gunman as a former National Guard member with a history of ISIS-related offenses adds a significant dimension to the case, highlighting potential terrorism concerns. The exact circumstances of the shooter's death remain unclear, and authorities have not released further details about the suspect or motive.
This developing story underscores the ongoing challenges of campus safety and the complexities of addressing violent incidents with potential extremist connections. As the investigation progresses, updates are expected from law enforcement and university officials.
