Ex-ISIS supporter kills officer in ROTC shooting rampage

Mohamed Jalloh, 36, was a former National Guardsman previously convicted of supporting ISIS before he opened fire on an ROTC class in Norfolk, Virginia.
He killed Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, an Army officer and professor of military science at Old Dominion University.
Two cadets were wounded in the attack.
Students inside the classroom subdued Jalloh and fatally stabbed him, according to a source close to the situation.
The shooting took place during an ROTC class on the ODU campus.
Lt. Col. Shah was a decorated officer who had served multiple deployments.
The wounded cadets were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Jalloh had a known history of extremism.
He was previously convicted of providing material support to ISIS, a federal offense.
Despite that conviction, he was able to obtain a firearm.
The alleged gun seller was federally charged the next day, per sources.
The charge was filed in federal court in Norfolk.
The seller’s identity has not been released by authorities.
Federal prosecutors are handling the case.

The charges relate to the sale of the weapon used in the attack.
It remains unclear how Jalloh acquired the gun given his criminal record.
Federal law generally prohibits anyone convicted of a felony from possessing firearms.
A conviction for supporting a designated foreign terrorist organization is a felony.
Jalloh served time for that conviction before his release.
He also served as a National Guardsman prior to his ISIS-related arrest.
His military service ended after the conviction.
The attack has raised urgent questions about gaps in the background check system.
Law enforcement officials are reviewing how Jalloh passed any purchase screening.
The ROTC program at ODU has been suspended pending an investigation.
University officials have not commented on the shooting directly.
The FBI is leading the investigation into the attack.
Norfolk police are assisting with the on-scene response.
The Department of Justice is monitoring the gun seller case.

Lt. Col. Shah’s family has requested privacy during this time.
A memorial service is being planned by the university.
The two wounded cadets are expected to recover, sources say.
Their names have not been released.
This is the second high-profile attack involving a former ISIS supporter in the past year.
The case has reignited debate over how the justice system handles convicted extremists after release.
Some lawmakers are calling for stricter monitoring of individuals with terrorism-related convictions.
Others are demanding reforms to the firearm background check system.
The National Rifle Association has not issued a statement on the shooting.
Civil liberties groups have urged caution before drawing conclusions.
A person familiar with the matter said the gun sale is being treated as a priority by federal prosecutors.
The alleged seller could face additional charges depending on what the investigation uncovers.
Federal law makes it a crime to knowingly sell a firearm to someone prohibited from owning one.
If the seller knew about Jalloh’s conviction, that could lead to a higher penalty.
The maximum sentence for such an offense is 10 years in prison.
Prosecutors have not indicated whether they will seek an enhanced sentence.
The case is expected to go before a grand jury in the coming weeks.
Jalloh’s criminal history includes more than just the ISIS conviction.
Court records show he had prior arrests for minor offenses.
His time in the National Guard was marked by disciplinary issues, sources say.
He was discharged before his ISIS-related activities came to light.
The attack has left the ODU community shaken.
Students described hearing gunfire and locking down in classrooms.
Some said they initially thought it was a drill.
When they realized it was real, they barricaded doors and waited.
The quick action of the ROTC cadets likely prevented further casualties.
Witnesses said the students acted without hesitation.
One cadet reportedly used a knife to stop the shooter.

That cadet has not been identified publicly.
University police praised the students’ bravery in a statement.
The shooting has drawn national attention.
Norfolk is a mid-sized city in southeastern Virginia.
Old Dominion University has about 24,000 students.
The ROTC program is one of the oldest in the state.
It trains future Army officers.
Lt. Col. Shah was a respected instructor.
He had served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He leaves behind a wife and two children.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for his family.
The page had raised over $100,000 within 48 hours.
The FBI is asking anyone with information about the gun sale to come forward.
A tip line has been established.
The investigation is ongoing.
How did a man previously convicted of supporting ISIS get a gun, and should the seller face even harsher charges?
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