Crime
Old Dominion University shooting suspect identified as Mohamed Jalloh
Authorities continue to investigate the deadly shooting that occurred on March 12, 2026, at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, which left one person dead, two others injured, and the suspected gunman deceased.
While the investigation remains ongoing, reports circulating online have suggested that the suspected shooter may have been Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, though law enforcement officials have not yet confirmed the identity of the suspect.
According to previous federal court records, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh is a U.S. citizen and former member of the United States Army and the Army National Guard who pleaded guilty in October 2016 to attempting to provide material support to the terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS).
Court documents and an Federal Bureau of Investigation affidavit indicated that Jalloh left the National Guard after becoming increasingly influenced by the teachings of Anwar al-Awlaki, a now-deceased cleric associated with Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
According to investigators, Jalloh began researching Awlaki after media reports describing the cleric as a radical preacher led him to listen to his online lectures.
During conversations in 2016 with an FBI confidential human source, Jalloh allegedly stated that Awlakiโs messages convinced him that it was the responsibility of Muslims to resist U.S. military actions overseas.
Investigators said Jalloh also referenced the 2014 declaration of a so-called caliphate by ISIS, stating that it helped him believe that the group represented a legitimate Islamic authority.
ISIS, a violent jihadist extremist organization that emerged from conflicts in Iraq and Syria, has been responsible for numerous attacks and insurgent campaigns across the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Europe and Asia. The group has also inspired or directed attacks in multiple countries around the world.
Reports indicate that Jalloh served time in federal prison following his conviction and was released in 2024, though authorities have not publicly confirmed whether he is connected to the ODU incident.
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:50 a.m. inside Constant Hall on the universityโs main campus. Officers with the Old Dominion University Police Department responded within minutes to reports of gunfire.
When police arrived, they located the suspected gunman deceased. Officials have not yet released details regarding how the suspect died.
Two victims were transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital at approximately 11:15 a.m. in critical condition. Authorities later confirmed that both individuals survived and are now reported to be in stable condition. One of the injured victims also self-transported to a hospital in Virginia Beach.
In a statement, the U.S. Army Cadet Command confirmed that two of the victims were members of the universityโs ROTC program.
At approximately 12:15 p.m., university officials issued an โall clearโ notification, informing the campus community that the immediate threat had ended but advising people to avoid the area around Constant Hall while the investigation continued.
ODU Police Chief Garrett Shelton confirmed during a 2:00 p.m. press conference that one victim had died and two others were injured, while the suspected gunman was found dead at the scene.
ODU President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. released a statement expressing condolences and thanking first responders for their rapid response.
โEarlier today, 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 with the City of Norfolk who assisted the injured.โ
In response to the incident, the university canceled all classes and suspended campus operations for the remainder of March 12, with officials also announcing that the campus would remain closed on Friday.
A Family Information Center was established at Chartway Arena, while counseling and support services were made available at Broderick Dining Commons and through online resources such as the Talk Campus peer support platform.
Students inside Constant Hall described the sudden disruption when the shooting began. ODU sophomore Logan Hayes said he was taking an exam when the buildingโs fire alarm sounded, prompting students to evacuate quickly as emergency responders arrived.
The incident also prompted precautionary safety measures throughout the surrounding community. Norfolk Public Schools confirmed that Larchmont Elementary School, James Monroe Elementary School, and W. H. Taylor Elementary School were placed on secure hold while police responded to the scene.
Officials also said that students from nearly every high school in Norfolk were visiting the university for a SOAR campus tour at the time of the shooting. Those students were sheltered in place, and authorities later confirmed that all visiting students and staff were accounted for and safe.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting local authorities in the investigation. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that federal agents are working alongside local law enforcement to help process evidence and determine the motive and background of the suspect.
Authorities emphasized that the identity of the shooter and any connection to prior criminal or extremist activity has not yet been officially confirmed, and investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Officials say additional updates will be released as more information becomes available as the investigation progresses.
Crime
Saylor Graham, 7, Fights to Recover After Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting as Teacher Becky Drury Faces Long Recovery
BEND, Oregon โ Seven-year-old Saylor Graham is recovering from life-threatening injuries after being shot at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026. Meanwhile, 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury is beginning a lengthy recovery after suffering gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand during the deadly school shooting.
The latest updates from the two families offer a glimpse of the difficult road ahead for survivors of a tragedy that claimed the lives of three children and a teacher, leaving families, classmates, and the wider Bend community grieving.
Saylor Graham, described by her family as a loving, feisty girl with a strong determination to thrive, was shot in the jaw during the shooting, according to the information shared by her family and supporters. She was airlifted from Bend for medical treatment.
Her family says the 7-year-old has already faced numerous medical challenges throughout her young life. Now, she is confronting another devastating ordeal, with her parents remaining by her side as she receives treatment and begins the recovery process.
Updates shared about Saylor’s condition have differed. An earlier account described her as being in critical condition, while a later update reported that she was in serious but stable condition. Her latest status should be confirmed with her family or an official source before publication.
For Saylor’s parents, the emotional strain is accompanied by significant financial uncertainty. Both parents are self-employed, and the demands of remaining at the hospital have sharply limited their ability to work. They must also manage medical expenses, transportation, lodging, household bills, and the needs of their other child.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to help Saylor’s family manage the financial pressures arising from her injuries and ongoing treatment.
The fundraiser describes Saylor as a daughter, sister, and niece whose determination has carried her through numerous medical challenges. It explains that the family is facing uncertainty as they remain close to her during recovery.
The appeal states that donations will help cover hospital bills, time away from work, lodging, transportation, and other urgent family expenses.
The fundraiser also asks supporters to keep Saylor and her loved ones in their thoughts and prayers, emphasizing that every contribution and act of kindness can make a difference during this difficult time.
Readers who wish to support Saylor’s recovery can find the fundraiser through the link shared by her family or the original organizer. The campaign details and donation link should be verified before being shared.
Becky Drury, 54, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School, was also wounded in the shooting. She suffered gunshot injuries to her left arm and right hand and has undergone surgery.
Her husband, Will, shared a hopeful update, saying the operation went well. However, the injuries to her left arm were extensive, and she is expected to require additional procedures and a prolonged recovery.
Despite the difficult road ahead, her husband’s message offered a moment of relief amid the grief surrounding the shooting.
โThe good news is she will be ok and we all get to keep that magnificent woman we love so much in our lives,โ he said.
His words reflect the gratitude of a family facing a frightening and uncertain recovery while knowing that Becky survived.
The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School left three children and one teacher dead, according to the information provided in reports about the incident.
Five-year-old Rhoam Summer has been publicly identified among the children killed. Megan Lambert, 25, a teacher also known as โCoach Megan,โ was identified as the adult victim. Two other children, ages 8 and 11, were also killed.
Their deaths have left four families facing an unimaginable loss. While Saylor and Becky continue their recoveries, the families of those who died are beginning a different and heartbreaking journey of grief.
The contrast between the survivors’ fight to recover and the families’ permanent loss has become one of the most painful realities of the tragedy.
For Saylor’s family, every update about her condition carries enormous significance. Her parents are navigating the uncertainty of their daughter’s recovery while trying to remain present for her and care for their family.
For Becky Drury’s loved ones, the successful surgery has brought relief, even as further treatment and rehabilitation lie ahead.
Their stories do not erase the devastating loss experienced by the families of the victims. Instead, they highlight the many ways the shooting has changed lives and the long road that survivors and loved ones must now face.
As Bend mourns the children and teacher who did not return home, the community continues to hope for Saylor’s recovery and for Becky to regain her health.
Saylor Graham and Becky Drury are among those still fighting their way forward after the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting. Their families are asking for support, compassion, and privacy as they face the difficult days ahead.