Overview
- The classroom attack on March 12 killed ROTC instructor Lt. Col. Brandon Shah after Mohamed Bailor Jalloh entered a Constant Hall class, asked if it was an ROTC session, opened fire, and was then disarmed by cadets who tried to save the instructor.
- Jalloh pleaded guilty in 2017 to providing material support to ISIS, was sentenced to 11 years, and won early release from federal custody after completing a prison drug treatment program, according to prison records.
- Cooley’s independent report released July 28 finds Old Dominion did not ask Jalloh about criminal history before or after readmission and that his probation officer and other agencies failed to notify the university, a lapse the report calls a "critical failure."
- The report notes Virginia law bars public universities from asking about criminal history before admission or readmission, which created reliance on outside agencies to flag risks and meant university officials likely would have sought Jalloh’s removal if they had been notified.
- Old Dominion has pledged to quickly adopt Cooley’s 12 recommendations, which include new notice protocols with law enforcement, expanded threat-assessment staffing, upgraded building access and other security investments that aim to change how agencies share safety information and affect campus life for students and ROTC members.