A federal investigation into the March 2026 shooting at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Virginia, found that the university was unaware of a student’s terrorism-related conviction before the attack. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, who was killed in the shooting, had previously been convicted of attempting to aid the Islamic State and served eight years in prison. The report, released Tuesday by the law firm Cooley on behalf of ODU, revealed that Jalloh’s probation officer did not share his criminal background with the university, despite the serious nature of his offense.
Key Findings
The report stated that no federal or state law enforcement agency reported Jalloh’s prior conviction to the university. Under Virginia state law, universities are prohibited from inquiring about student criminal history before admission or readmission but can ask readmitted students to voluntarily disclose their records. ODU did not ask Jalloh about his criminal history upon his readmission in May 2025.
Legal and Policy Context
The report emphasized that Virginia law requires universities to rely on student self-disclosure, making it critical for law enforcement agencies to share relevant information to safeguard students. The report suggested that the failure to communicate Jalloh’s criminal history led to tragic consequences, as the university likely would have sought his removal had it known of his background.
University Response
ODU officials stated that they had no knowledge of the risk Jalloh posed or his federal terrorism conviction. The university’s ability to act was limited by state law, which restricts its ability to inquire about criminal history before admission. The report called for better coordination between law enforcement and educational institutions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Background on the Shooting
The March 2026 attack injured two students and killed an Army veteran who was praised for his heroic actions during the incident. Jalloh had attended ODU beginning in 2007, was suspended in 2010, and was readmitted after his early release from prison in December 2024.