Federal Charges Filed Against Alleged Gun Supplier in Old Dominion University Shooting
A Virginia man has been arrested and charged with illegally providing the firearm used in Thursday's deadly shooting at Old Dominion University. Kenya Chapman, 32, of Smithfield, appeared in federal court on Friday facing serious allegations related to the attack that claimed the life of a military instructor and injured two students.
Multiple Charges for Firearm Violations
According to the Department of Justice, Chapman has been charged with dealing firearms without a license and three counts of making false statements during firearm purchases. Court documents reveal that Chapman allegedly sold a .22-caliber Glock 44 to Mohamed Jalloh, a former Virginia Army National Guard member who prosecutors say carried out the classroom attack.
Investigators state that Chapman initially claimed he found the weapon "in the woods" but later admitted to stealing it from a vehicle in Newport News approximately one year prior to the incident. The handgun reportedly had a partially obliterated serial number and was sold to Jalloh for just $100 mere days before the shooting occurred.
Prohibited Purchaser and Deadly Consequences
Mohamed Jalloh, who was fatally stabbed by another student during the attack, had been prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction. In 2017, Jalloh received an 11-year sentence for providing material support to ISIS but was released from federal prison in 2024 after completing a drug treatment program approximately two and a half years early.
The shooting resulted in the death of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a military science instructor, and left two students wounded before Jalloh was subdued. Chapman now faces a potential maximum sentence of 35 years in prison if convicted on all charges, though a federal judge will ultimately determine his punishment.
Previous Law Enforcement Attention and Straw Purchase Suspicions
Court filings indicate that Chapman had previously drawn law enforcement attention regarding suspected straw purchases, where individuals buy firearms on behalf of those legally prohibited from acquiring them. An affidavit reveals that in 2021, investigators discovered Chapman had purchased three guns later recovered at crime scenes, including one connected to a homicide, though he was not prosecuted at that time.
According to investigators, Chapman told authorities he met Jalloh through work and claimed the buyer stated he needed the firearm for protection while working as a delivery driver. Although Chapman acknowledged awareness of Jalloh's prison history, he denied knowledge of Jalloh's felony conviction or any intentions to use the weapon in an attack.
Federal Response and Investigation Details
FBI agents searched Chapman's residence on Friday and conducted questioning about the firearm transaction. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the seriousness of the charges in a statement, declaring, "If you steal firearms, lie on federal forms, and put weapons in the hands of convicted terrorists, this FBI will find you."
Patel continued, "I want to thank our Norfolk Field Office and partners who continue to work 24/7 to bring to justice those responsible for yesterday's attack. In the meantime, we continue to keep the victims, their families, and the entire Old Dominion community in our prayers."
The case highlights ongoing concerns about illegal firearm transactions and the potential consequences when weapons fall into the hands of prohibited individuals. Federal prosecutors are pursuing the charges vigorously as the investigation into the Old Dominion University shooting continues to unfold.
