Why It Matters
A domestic terrorist attack at a Virginia university has renewed urgent questions about national security, the early release of convicted terrorism supporters, and the readiness of American institutions to confront the growing threat of ISIS-inspired violence on home soil. The heroism displayed by Army ROTC cadets at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia stands as a stark reminder that the threat of radical Islamic terrorism remains very real — and that trained young Americans may be the last line of defense.
What Happened
On March 12, Mohamed Jalloh — a man previously convicted of providing material support to the Islamic State terror group — walked into an Army ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. After nervously asking whether the class was ROTC, Jalloh shouted “Allahu Akbar” and opened fire, killing Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a professor of military science, and injuring two others.
As Jalloh began shooting, Lt. Col. Shah immediately lunged at the gunman. ROTC Cadet Louis Ancheta then drew a pocket knife and repeatedly stabbed Jalloh as the struggle unfolded. Ancheta was struck by a stray bullet during the fight but continued to help subdue the attacker. Fellow cadets — including Wesley Myers, Jah-Ira Utarte, Jeremy Rawlinson, Samuel Reineberg, and Oshea Bego — all joined in to neutralize the threat and render aid. Jalloh was pronounced dead when officers arrived on the scene. FBI Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans confirmed that students in the room “subdued” the gunman.
Now, for the first time, the cadets who survived that day are sharing their accounts publicly in testimony released by the Department of War.
In Their Own Words
“If he didn’t lunge at him, I wouldn’t be here right now,” said Cadet Jah-Ira Utarte, who was seated in the front row when the shooting began. “There’s a possibility he could’ve turned his gun and I could’ve been next.”
Cadet Ancheta said that when he was struck by the stray bullet, the adrenaline of the moment masked the pain: “It really didn’t feel like it hit me.” He pressed forward regardless, continuing to fight alongside his fellow cadets.
Cadet Wesley Myers reflected on the gravity of treating a fellow student after the gunman was disarmed: “It’s different when it’s not a mannequin, and it’s your friend.” Cadet Rawlinson described Shah’s final act of sacrifice: “[Shah] used the last of his strength to tackle that guy, and it gave us just enough time that we needed to be able to get on [the gunman].”
Cadet Bego, who said Shah had personally promised his mother that he would look after him, added: “One of the last things he told my mom when they met this summer was that he would take care of me. He followed through on that word.”
By the Numbers
- 1 killed — Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, professor of military science
- 2 others injured in the March 12 attack
- March 22 — Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Sergeant Major of the Army Michael R. Weimer presented formal honors to the ODU ROTC cadets for their bravery
- 2 Purple Hearts awarded to cadets who helped disarm the ISIS supporter
- Jalloh had a prior federal conviction for providing material support to ISIS before the attack
Zoom Out
The attack at Old Dominion University is part of a broader pattern of ISIS-inspired domestic terrorism that U.S. law enforcement agencies have continued to monitor closely. The case also raises serious questions about the consequences of early prison releases for convicted terrorism supporters — Jalloh had served time for his prior ISIS-related conviction before being freed ahead of the attack.
As the United States navigates high-stakes diplomatic engagement with Iran, including ongoing international efforts to contain radical Islamic influence, the ODU attack underscores that the threat of extremist violence is not limited to foreign battlefields. The case has drawn scrutiny to how the justice system handles individuals with documented ties to terrorist organizations.
Virginia Democrats also faced criticism in the wake of the shooting, with reports indicating some lawmakers resisted connecting the attack to broader immigration and terrorism enforcement priorities — even as the attacker’s prior ISIS conviction became public.
What’s Next
Old Dominion University President Brian O. Hemphill announced that the university will conduct an independent review of the incident. In a formal statement, Hemphill described the shooting as a “defining moment” in the institution’s history and committed to examining critical procedures, overall preparedness, and the university’s emergency response. “This is not merely a procedural step; it is a moral imperative to ensure the safety and security of every member of our campus community remains first and foremost,” Hemphill said.
Federal authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, including a separate charge filed against a Virginia man accused of selling the weapon used by the shooter. The cadets who acted that day have already been formally recognized for their valor — but for those who were in that classroom on March 12, the mission to honor Lt. Col. Shah’s sacrifice is far from over.