(TNND) — The suspected gunman in a Thursday morning shooting at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Virginia has been identified as a former Army National Guard Soldier convicted of supporting terrorist organization, ISIS.
Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, age 36, has been confirmed by multiple federal sources as the suspected shooter. Jalloh is a naturalized U.S. citizen, originally from Sierra Leone, a country on the coast of West Africa.
The former Virginia National Guard has a criminal record dating back to 2017, when he was sentenced to 12 years in prison plus five years of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to ISIS, according to the Department of Justice.
On July 3, 2016, he was originally arrested after authorities said he attempted to help procure weapons for a suspected ISIS-inspired attack in the U.S. and on a separate occasion tried to send money to support ISIS, according to the criminal complaint.
FBI Director Kash Patel said that the agency is “now investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism.”
Earlier today, an armed individual opened fire at Old Dominion University, leaving one person dead and two others wounded. The shooter is now deceased thanks to a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him – actions that undoubtedly saved lives along with the quick response of law enforcement,” Patel wrote in a statement on social media.
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The FBI is now investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism. Our Joint Terrorism Task Force is fully engaged, embedded with local authorities, and providing all resources necessary in the investigation. In the meantime, please pray for the victims, their families, and the ODU community,” Patel added.
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