Fatal Incidents at Virginia University and Michigan Synagogue Under Investigation

Separate Incidents of Violence Rock Virginia and Michigan

Separate incidents of violence occurred on Thursday in Virginia and Michigan, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. In Norfolk, Virginia, a gunman killed one person and wounded two others at Old Dominion University before being subdued by students. In West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, a man died after crashing an explosives-laden vehicle into a synagogue. Federal authorities are investigating both events.

The Virginia shooting classified as an act of terrorism.

Old Dominion University Shooting

On Thursday morning, a shooting took place at Constant Hall, which houses the College of Business, at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Virginia. Emergency personnel responded to reports shortly before 10:49 a.m.

The gunman, identified as 36-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, entered a classroom and reportedly inquired if it was an ROTC class. After receiving confirmation, he opened fire, yelling "Allahu Akbar." ROTC students present in the classroom confronted and subdued Jalloh. While Jalloh was not shot by officers, one student reportedly used a knife to subdue him.

Jalloh was confirmed deceased less than 10 minutes after the initial call to authorities. No additional weaponry or explosives were found at the scene.

The shooting resulted in the death of Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah, 42, an ROTC instructor and leader for the Army ROTC program at ODU. Shah, a former Army helicopter pilot who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Eastern Europe, leaves behind a spouse and child.

Two other individuals, both affiliated with the university and participants in the Army ROTC program, sustained injuries. One was initially in critical condition and later upgraded to fair condition, while the other was treated and released from a hospital.

Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Sierra Leone, had served as a specialist in the Virginia Army National Guard from 2009 until his honorable discharge in 2015. According to a 2016 FBI affidavit, Jalloh stated he left the National Guard after listening to lectures from radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.

Jalloh had a prior criminal history involving federal authorities. In 2016, he pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State (ISIS) and was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2017. During a three-month sting operation in 2016, Jalloh attempted to financially support ISIS with a $500 donation and tried to acquire weapons, including an AR-15 assault rifle.

Jalloh was released from federal custody in December 2024, approximately two and a half years early, after completing a drug treatment program.

He was on supervised release at the time of the shooting and was reportedly taking online classes at ODU. Inmates convicted of terrorism-related offenses are generally not eligible for sentence reductions based on good behavior or program participation, and the specific criteria for Jalloh's early release remain unclear. Prior to his sentencing, Jalloh submitted a letter to the U.S. District Judge expressing regret for his involvement with ISIS. Investigators believe Jalloh was inspired by the 2009 Fort Hood military base shooting.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism. FBI Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans commended the ROTC students for their actions, stating they prevented further loss of life.

Old Dominion University issued an alert at 10:48 a.m. instructing students and faculty to follow "Run-Hide-Fight protocols." The university subsequently issued an all-clear notification shortly after noon. Classes were canceled for Thursday and Friday, and support services were established for the university community. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger stated that her administration was monitoring the situation and mobilizing state support.

Following the incident, Kenya Chapman was charged in connection with the sale of the stolen firearm used by Jalloh. Chapman told federal agents he stole the gun about a year prior and sold it to Jalloh, who claimed he needed it for protection as a delivery driver. Chapman denied knowledge of Jalloh's felony conviction, which prohibited firearm possession.

Michigan Synagogue Attack

Hours after the ODU shooting, Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, was targeted in a vehicle-ramming attack.

The perpetrator, identified as 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, drove an explosives-laden vehicle into the synagogue, subsequently setting the building ablaze. Approximately 140 children and staff were inside the synagogue at the time, but none were reported injured. An armed security guard was struck by the vehicle and rendered unconscious but is expected to recover.

Authorities reported that Ghazali had waited outside the synagogue for about two hours with a rifle, commercial-grade fireworks, and jugs of liquid believed to be gasoline. He fired his weapon through the windshield and exchanged fire with the security guard before his vehicle became stuck and caught fire. Ghazali fatally shot himself.

Ayman Mohamad Ghazali was the only fatality in the incident. At least 30 first responders were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.

Ghazali was a Lebanese-born U.S. citizen who immigrated to the U.S. in 2011 and was granted citizenship in 2016.

Authorities are investigating reports that Ghazali may have recently lost four family members—two brothers, a niece, and a nephew—in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon during their fast-breaking meal in Ramadan. His mother was also reportedly seriously wounded and remains hospitalized.

The FBI is leading the investigation and described the incident as a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community. However, the FBI stated there is insufficient evidence at this time to classify it as an act of terror. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel noted a "clear nexus" between the Iran conflict and the attack, suggesting the synagogue's name, "Temple Israel," was a deliberate target. Security officers at the synagogue, who were on heightened alert, engaged the suspect and were credited with preventing further harm.

Broader Context

These incidents occurred within a period that Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson described as a "heightened threat environment" since the onset of the war with Iran. The FBI has mobilized over 100 agents and analysts for the ongoing investigations into both attacks and has urged public assistance with any relevant information.