A Failure of Vigilance: Why the ODU Tragedy Was a Crisis Foretold

Yesterday, the peace of American soil was shattered at Old Dominion University, a sobering reminder that radicalism remains a persistent threat within our borders. While we mourn the loss of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, we must honor the bravery of the cadets who refused to be victims and fought back. This tragedy exposes the dangerous gaps in our federal supervision systems and the high cost of bureaucratic oversight. We must remain vigilant and clear-eyed, because in an age of "lone wolf" threats, public awareness is our most vital defense.

Old Dominion University (ODU) is in the heart of Norfolk, Virginia. Norfolk is home to Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval base in the world. Because ODU is so close to this massive military hub, 30% of students are military-affiliated (veterans, active duty, or dependents). The ROTC program at ODU is exceptionally large and well-integrated into the local culture. This explains why there were enough trained ROTC cadets in the classroom to react as quickly as they did when the gunman arrived.

The community was attacked by a lone-wolf terrorist yesterday, March 12, 2026. Mohamed Jalloh arrived at ODU’s Constant Hall shortly after 10:40 a.m. He entered a classroom and reportedly asked if it was an ROTC class; when a student or instructor confirmed it was, he shouted “Allahu Akbar” and opened fire. The initial shots fatally wounded Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a retired Army pilot and ROTC instructor, and injured two other students. Almost immediately, a group of ROTC students in the room took action to stop the massacre: they rushed Jalloh and subdued him, with one student reportedly using a knife to neutralize the threat. By the time ODU police arrived at 10:47 a.m., less than ten minutes after the first calls, they found Jalloh deceased, crediting the "extreme bravery" of the cadets for preventing a much larger tragedy.

A campus in mourning: The community gathers to remember Lt. Col. Brandon Shah.

In 2016, Jalloh pleaded guilty to a single heavy charge: Attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization (ISIS). He had purchased a gun to replicate the 2009 Fort Hood shooting and sent $500 to ISIS. Jalloh was obsessed with the Fort Hood attack, where a gunman targeted fellow soldiers on a military base. To someone radicalized by ISIS ideology, "success" is defined by the identity of the victims. During his 2017 sentencing, prosecutors pointed out that Jalloh believed murdering members of the U.S. military was a "path to heaven." In his radicalized worldview, he wasn't "outnumbered" by military people; he was "surrounded by the enemy."

During the sentencing phase, the system split: The Government called him a "committed terrorist" and requested 20 years. His lawyers argued he was a "troubled young man" manipulated by an informant and asked for only 6.5 years. Judge O'Grady sentenced him to 11 years, suggesting he was dangerous but perhaps "reformable" through ordered drug and mental health programs.

Under federal law (the 1987 Sentencing Reform Act), there is no "parole." Inmates must serve at least 85% of their sentence. However, "good time" calculations have evolved. If a prisoner avoids misconduct, the BOP applies a reduction of 54 days per year. This reduced Jalloh’s 11 years to roughly 9.5 years. Because his conviction was for "attempting" to aid rather than a violent act itself, he was eligible for the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), which can reduce a sentence by up to one additional year. This brought his remaining sentence to approximately 8.5 years, resulting in his December 2024 release.

How does an 11-year terrorism sentence turn into an 8.5-year release? We tracked the credits, the 'Good Time,' and the RDAP loophole that federal oversight missed.

The Math of a Systemic Failure: How an 11-year sentence resulted in an 8.5-year release.

While various media outlets focus on political blame, the facts tell a more complex story. The First Step Act was signed into law by Donald Trump in 2018 with bipartisan support, while the Biden administration was responsible for the implementation of that law in 2024. Technically, the law states that those convicted of terrorism should not receive these early release credits. The current March 2026 investigation is examining if Jalloh was "misclassified" as a non-terrorist by prison staff, allowing him to earn the credits that led to his release.

Upon his 2024 release, Jalloh was placed on Supervised Release. A federal probation officer in Virginia was assigned to monitor his home, employment, and internet use. Lawmakers are now demanding to know how a convicted terrorist, while supposedly being watched, was able to acquire a weapon and plan an attack without any alerts. As of late 2025, there are approximately 3.7 million people under community supervision. Roughly 1 in 4 people (25%) in state prisons are there because they "lapsed" on their supervision. The U.S. currently has a 1:100 staffing ratio in federal probation, making it nearly impossible to provide the deep-dive monitoring required for high-risk terrorism cases.

As the Monarch community moves into a weekend of mourning, the focus turns from the "who" and "how" to the healing of those left behind. The bravery displayed in Constant Hall prevented an even greater event, but the scars on the Norfolk community will run deep. In the face of such senseless violence, our strength lies in staying informed, staying vigilant, and supporting one another through the long road to recovery.

The tragedy at ODU reminds us that public vigilance is our first line of defense. If you observe behavior that feels "out of the ordinary," do not ignore your instincts.

See Something, Say Something

How to Report Suspicious Activity

Life-Threatening Emergency: Call 911 immediately.

Suspicious Behavior (Non-Emergency): Call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a digital tip at tips.fbi.gov.

Report 5W's: Who, What, When, Where, Why

Remember: Always prioritize your own safety. Never attempt to confront or follow a suspicious individual yourself. Let trained law enforcement handle the investigation.