A convicted ISIS supporter murdered a decorated Army veteran in an ROTC classroom, armed with a stolen gun sold illegally by a man previously warned but not prosecuted by federal authorities.
Story Highlights
- Convicted terrorist Mohamed Bailor Jalloh killed Lt. Col. Brandon Shah and wounded two in an ODU ROTC class on March 12, 2026, yelling “Allahu akbar” before ROTC students stopped him.
- Kenya McChell Chapman was charged for stealing and selling the gun to Jalloh days earlier, despite Jalloh’s 2016 felony barring firearm possession.
- Chapman ignored the 2021 ATF straw-purchase warning; his prior guns were linked to crimes, exposing enforcement failures under prior lax policies.
- DOJ now acts under President Trump’s leadership to hold illegal gun dealers accountable, preventing threats to the military and communities.
Terrorist Attack Targets American Heroes
Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a 36-year-old former Army National Guard member convicted in 2016 for attempting to aid ISIS, entered an Old Dominion University ROTC classroom in Norfolk, Virginia.
He confirmed twice that it was an ROTC event attended by service members and students, then opened fire. Jalloh killed Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a 42-year-old decorated helicopter pilot with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Eastern Europe.
Shah, an ODU ROTC alumnus who has led the program since 2022, left behind a spouse and child. Two students suffered wounds in the assault.
The Trump Justice Department sought double the judge's prison sentence for Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, meaning that if it had been adopted, then the accused Old Dominion University assassin would still be in prison and not free to kill an Army war hero. https://t.co/QMtiOZ9z0Y
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) March 13, 2026
Illegal Gun Sale Enables Jihadist Violence
Kenya McChell Chapman, 32, from Smithfield, Virginia, allegedly stole the handgun from a Newport News vehicle about a year before the shooting. With its serial number partially obliterated to evade tracing, Chapman sold it to Jalloh days prior.
They met at work; Jalloh claimed the need for protection for delivery drivers. Chapman knew Jalloh’s prison history but claimed ignorance of the terrorism felony prohibiting gun ownership.
FBI and ATF resurfaced the serial number, and phone records confirmed multiple calls between them that week. Ammunition matching the weapon appeared in Chapman’s home search.
Prior Warnings Ignored, Now Justice Served
In 2021, ATF probed Chapman for straw purchases after three guns he bought surfaced at crime scenes—two homicides and one public intoxication case.
He received a warning letter, apologized, but prosecutors declined charges—this missed chance allowed Chapman’s activities to continue, culminating in arming a known terrorist.
On March 13, 2026, the DOJ filed charges: dealing firearms without a license and three false-statement counts. Chapman faces up to 35 years if convicted. He appeared in federal court that day as the investigations expanded.
President Trump’s DOJ, led by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, vows full justice: Chapman “allegedly stole a firearm and illegally sold it to a convicted terrorist, who murdered a decorated American veteran.”
This swift action contrasts with past leniency, prioritizing enforcement against threats to patriots and Sthe integrity of the econd Amendment ihrough illegal channels.
Justice Department charges man accused of selling gun to Old Dominion University shooter
https://t.co/QneTvaEEtp— First Alert 6 (@WOWT6News) March 15, 2026
ROTC Heroes Prevent Larger Massacre
ROTC students subdued and killed Jalloh within minutes, without police gunfire. ODU Police confirmed the threat ended within 10 minutes of the first call.
Their bravery stopped what could have been mass casualties in a targeted attack on military trainees. This underscores the valor of young patriots defending against jihadist evil, even unarmed. Federal agencies now probe terrorism motives, given Jalloh’s ISIS ties and deliberate ROTC targeting.
Enforcement Gaps Exposed, Reforms Needed
The case reveals failures in monitoring convicted terrorists post-release and prosecuting warned straw purchasers. Gun thefts from vehicles feed illicit markets, defaced serial numbers hinder traces, yet ATF techniques prevailed here.
Under Trump, expect tougher penalties for unlicensed dealing and earlier interventions. Military communities demand better campus security for ROTC programs nationwide. Families seek accountability to honor Shah’s sacrifice and protect American values from radical threats.
Sources:
Justice Department charges man accused of selling gun to Old Dominion University shooter
Justice Department charges man accused of selling gun to Old Dominion University shooter
Number on gun used in fatal Old Dominion shooting was obliterated, law enforcement official says
