Crime
39-year-old David Orr killed after shooting outside Staples store in Coos Bay
COOS BAY, Ore. — A suspect is in custody following a fatal shooting that occurred Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of a retail business in Coos Bay, according to the Coos Bay Police Department (CBPD).
Police said officers were dispatched shortly before 2 p.m. on December 28 to reports of a shooting outside the Staples store on Newmark Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by CBPD officers and responding medical personnel, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Authorities later identified the victim as David Orr, 39, of Coos Bay.
Witnesses provided officers with a description and license plate number of the suspect vehicle, which enabled law enforcement to quickly locate it.
A North Bend Police Department officer spotted the vehicle a short time later near 33rd Street and Vine Avenue. Coos Bay officers responded to the location, detained two occupants, and subsequently arrested the suspected shooter without incident.
The Coos County Major Crime Team has been activated and is now leading the investigation. Due to the ongoing nature of the case, police said the identity of the suspect will not be released until after arraignment, which is expected later this week.
The suspect is currently being held at the Coos County Jail on unrelated charges, pending further legal proceedings.
CBPD credited the swift response and coordinated efforts of multiple agencies, including the North Bend Police Department, Oregon State Police, tribal law enforcement partners, Coos Bay Fire Department, Bay Cities Ambulance, and county officials, for their assistance during the incident.
The investigation remains active, and authorities emphasized that additional information will be released as it becomes officially confirmed.
“This is a developing situation,” police said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and all those affected by this tragic incident.”
The public is urged to rely on verified updates from law enforcement as the case progresses.
Norfolk, Virginia — Authorities have identified the instructor killed during Thursday’s shooting at Old Dominion University as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a retired U.S. Army officer who had returned to the university to serve as an instructor with its Army ROTC program.
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:43 a.m. on the university’s campus in Norfolk. Police responded after receiving multiple emergency calls reporting an active shooter inside Constant Hall.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect—identified by authorities as Mohammed Jalloh—entered the building and walked through the hallway before approaching a classroom where an Army ROTC session was underway.
The suspect reportedly asked individuals inside whether he had arrived at an ROTC class. When someone confirmed that it was, the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally shooting the class instructor.
Voorhees University confirmed in a public Facebook statement that the victim was Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, noting the tragedy has personal ties to the institution.
“This tragedy is felt especially close to home for us, as the victim, Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah, was the son-in-law of Voorhees University Trustee and alumnus Dr. Dan Martin,” the university wrote in its statement. “We lift Dr. Martin and his family in our thoughts and prayers during this time of unimaginable loss.”
Shah was a native of Staunton and began his military career by enlisting in the United States Army in 2003 as an aviation operations specialist.
In 2005, he enrolled at Old Dominion University, where he later received his Army commission in 2007. Shah graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in military science.
Following his commissioning, Shah served extensively in Army aviation. According to his alumni profile at ODU, he earned the Army Aviation Senior Aviator wings, logging more than 1,200 flight hours across three different aircraft and accumulating over 600 combat flight hours during his service.
In addition to his undergraduate degree, Shah pursued advanced education, earning an MBA from University of Georgia and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from University of Kansas.
Throughout his military career, Shah received numerous awards and distinctions. Among them were the Senior Army Aviator Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
His alumni biography also described him as a strong advocate for minority and veteran business education, highlighting his involvement in initiatives that support diversity, inclusion, and entrepreneurship. In addition to his professional work, Shah volunteered his time to assist underserved communities.
Shah returned to his alma mater in summer 2022 to serve as an instructor and help lead the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion at Old Dominion University. In that role, he mentored and trained students pursuing military leadership careers.
University officials and members of the campus community have expressed deep sorrow over his death, remembering Shah as a dedicated officer, educator, and mentor whose service and leadership had a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike.
Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about the suspect’s motive, and the investigation remains active.