ROTC Cadets Detail Heroic Subduing of Gunman at Old Dominion University
In a powerful and emotional video released by the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, cadets from Virginia’s Old Dominion University have publicly shared, for the first time, the harrowing details of how they bravely subdued a gunman who targeted their classroom last month. The 17-minute footage, posted online on Wednesday, captures the cadets recounting their split-second decisions to stab and disarm the attacker, while simultaneously attempting to save the life of their wounded instructor who had placed himself in harm’s way.
The Attack and Immediate Response
The incident occurred on March 12 at the Norfolk-based university, when the shooter, identified as Army National Guard veteran Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, entered the classroom. Cadets described how Jalloh nervously inquired if it was an ROTC class, and upon confirmation, he drew a pistol from his waist, shouted 'Allahu akbar,' and fired toward Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah. Students immediately dived for cover as the chaos unfolded.
Lt. Col. Shah, who was shot and later succumbed to his injuries, lunged at the gunman, positioning himself between Jalloh and the class. Cadet Jah-Ire Urtarte emphasized that Shah’s actions were lifesaving, stating, "If he didn’t lunge at him, you know, I wouldn’t be here right now. There’s a possibility he could’ve turned his gun and I could’ve been next."
Cadets Spring into Action
As Shah grappled with Jalloh, Cadet Louis Ancheta retrieved his pocket knife and moved toward the struggle, only to be struck in the chest by a bullet. "It really didn’t feel like it hit me," Ancheta recalled, pointing to his sternum. "It felt like a graze. After that, I’m like, 'I can keep on going.'" When Shah managed to turn the attacker around, Ancheta took decisive action with his folding tactical knife, a standard item carried by most cadets.
"So, I just go in there, just start stabbing him," Ancheta said. "As I’m stabbing, other cadets jump in." Cadet Jeremy Rawlinson also drew his knife to help neutralize the threat. Despite multiple cadets restraining him, Jalloh retained control of the firearm. Cadet Wesley Myers focused on disarming him, squeezing his fingers between Jalloh's hand and the weapon to pry it away and clear the final round from the chamber.
Transition to Combat Care
With the shooter disarmed, the cadets swiftly shifted their attention to providing medical aid to the wounded. Cadet Samuel Reineberg discovered a gunshot wound to Shah’s upper right thigh, and Rawlinson handed over his belt to use as a tourniquet. "On an instant, we switched over to doing combat care," Rawlinson explained.
Myers attended to Ancheta, noting the emotional weight of the situation: "It’s different when it’s not a mannequin and it’s your friend. So, myself and another cadet pull him to the side and lay him on his back and begin performing first aid." Ancheta, during his recovery, requested that his mother be called and later received the Purple Heart, among several cadets awarded medals for their courageous response.
Background and Legacy of Lt. Col. Shah
Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, an Old Dominion University alumnus who had returned in 2022 as an ROTC leader, was praised by the cadets for his protective actions and thorough training. His military background included piloting helicopters in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Eastern Europe. Notably, just two days prior to the shooting, Shah had advised cadets to avoid wearing their uniforms on campus as a precautionary measure due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Cadet Brandon Rebolledo, who was in a nearby ROTC building during the attack, recounted Shah’s warning: "Because of all the situation that’s happening with Iran and all of that stuff in the Middle East. To make sure that we did not become a target and to make sure that we were keeping a low profile."
The cadets unanimously hailed Shah as the true hero of the day. Rawlinson reflected on Shah’s motto, "Be bold, be quick, be gone," while Cadet Oshea Bego added, "Col. Shah really set that example for what it means, not just as a warrior, leader and soldier, but also just as a human being." Their accounts underscore how Shah’s training prepared them to act decisively under extreme pressure, transforming classroom lessons into real-life valor.
The shooter, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, also died during the incident. He had previously pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to aid the Islamic State and was sentenced to 11 years in prison, being on supervised release at the time of the attack. This tragic event highlights both the bravery of the ROTC cadets and the enduring impact of their instructor’s leadership, serving as a poignant reminder of the risks faced in educational environments and the resilience of those trained to protect others.
