Timeline of events surrounding shooting at Old Dominion University

10:43 a.m. – Police received calls about an active-shooter on ODU's campus

CBS News would later report that former Virginia National Guardsman Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, 36, walked into a class at Constant Hall. He asked if it was an ROTC class, a law enforcement source told CBS News. When someone responded that it was, the shooter opened fire, fatally injuring the class instructor, who was a retired Army officer.

10:48 a.m. – ODU puts out alert instructing students and staff to shelter in place
"Active threat reported at Constant Hall. Follow Run-Hide-Fight protocols. Emergency personnel responding. Avoid Area."

11:30 a.m. – ODU puts out a follow-up alert, sharing more details into the shooting
"Due to an active shooter situation in which the shooter has been neutralized, all classes and operations on the main campus are suspended for the remainder of the day."

11:59 p.m. – Gov. Abigail Spanberger puts out the following statement

12:05 p.m. – ODU puts out an all-clear alert
“This is an all clear notification. The emergency at Constant Hall has ended. There is no longer an active threat to the campus community. Avoid the area in and around Constant Hall where emergency officials continue to work.”

12:10 p.m. – Norfolk Police Department say an information center for families will be up near Chartway Arena

12:18 p.m. – FBI Director Kash Patel says FBI personnel are providing assistance

12:20 p.m. – ODU President Dr. Brian Hemphill puts out a statement commending the "swift response of our police officers"

"Dear Monarchs:

Earlier today, March 12, 2026, Old Dominion University faced a tragedy on our main campus. I am grateful for the swift response of our police officers, emergency management personnel, and our partners at the City of Norfolk who promptly assisted the injured.

Due to the incident, Old Dominion University has canceled classes and suspended operations on main campus for the remainder of the day, March 12, 2026. Due to the ongoing investigation, please avoid the area in and around Constant Hall and continue to follow instructions from ODU Alerts. Family Information Center is available in Chartway Arena’s Big Blue Room.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to go to Broderick Dining Commons for lunch and counseling support. Talk Campus—a 24/7 peer support community—and other online counseling services and resources are also available for students at www.odu.edu/counseling-services [odu.edu]. More information will be provided by the Division of Student and Campus Life. For immediate assistance, please call (757) 683-4401. Additional updates will be shared through ODU Alerts and posted on the ODU homepage at www.odu.edu [odu.edu].

The safety of our campus community is my top priority. We are deeply committed to safeguarding all Monarchs and ensuring a secure learning, living, and working environment at all times. We take this responsibility very seriously and remain vigilant in our efforts to maintain a safe campus. I extend my thoughts and prayers to those impacted by the incident, as well as the entire campus and the broader community."

12:58 p.m. – Norfolk Public Schools puts out the following statement
Norfolk Public Schools (NPS) was made aware of an active threat at Old Dominion University earlier today that has required the following three schools to go on a secure hold:

• Larchmont Elementary 
• James Monroe Elementary
• W.H. Taylor Elementary 

Also, NPS students from nearly each of our high schools were on campus at ODU today for a SOAR tour. They sheltered in place and are all accounted for and safe.

Norfolk Police officers are on site and are actively working to assess and address the situation and are working with ODU Police and NPS security personnel.

The threat is over, and the police and NPS security personnel have given the all clear.

All students and staff are secure, and we are following established safety protocols. However, due to the increased police presence NPS security personnel are asking that parents avoid the area at this time.

Please note at planned after-school activities will go on as scheduled for today.

1:43 p.m. – ODU puts out a follow-up alert with details of Friday university closure and counseling resources

“In an effort to provide counseling services & other support for the campus & the community, Old Dominion University will be closed tomorrow (Friday, March 13, 2026) at all locations. Classes are cancelled, & operations are suspended. On Friday, March 13, 2026, counselors will be on the main campus, available from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Student counseling will be available in Broderick Dining Commons. Faculty/staff/community counseling will be available in Student Government Chambers at Webb Center. Food services will be available for those remaining in campus housing.”

2:00 p.m. – Officials hold a press conference on the ODU campus shooting that left one victim and the gunman dead

3:03 p.m. – Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll confirmed on social media that two army personnel were injured during the shooting

3:29 p.m. – Sentara official provides an update on the victims conditions

A Sentara official told News 3 one victim arrived at Sentara Independence after the shooting via a private vehicle — they have since been treated and released. The two other victims were transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, one died and the other remains in critical condition.

3:38 p.m. – CBS News identifies the shooter as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Virginia National Guardsman with ties to ISIS

CBS News reports that Jalloh pled guilty in Oct. 2016 of attempting to provide material support to ISIS (at the time it was referred to as ISIL, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) . He was sentenced to 11 years in prison and according to his Federal Bureau of Prisons record he was released early in December 2024.

Jalloh, at his sentencing, claimed he deeply regretted his actions and was disgusted by ISIS.

“First of all, I want to say I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, but this mistake of giving any support to the violent and extreme organization ISIS has been the most devastating one I have ever decided to make in my life,” he told the judge, according to a transcript reviewed by CBS News.

3:55 p.m. – FBI Director Kash Patel confirms that Jalloh was subdued by a "group of brave students"