Decorated Army Lt. Col. Brandon Shah Identified as Victim in Old Dominion University Shooting
Shah's awards included the Senior Army Aviator Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, two Bronze Stars, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medal with Valor, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, Joint Service Achievement Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, and various campaign and unit honors.
RWTNews Staff
Lieutenant Colonel Brandon A. Shah, a decorated Army veteran and ROTC instructor at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Virginia, was identified as the victim fatally shot during an attack on March 12, 2026.
Shah, a native Virginian and ODU alumnus, enlisted in the Army in 2003 as an aviation operations specialist, rising to sergeant before commissioning through ODU's ROTC program. He served in the active-duty Army, Army Reserve, and Virginia Army National Guard, deploying for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Atlantic Resolve. As an Army aviator, Shah logged over 1,200 flight hours, including more than 600 in combat across three aircraft types, earning Senior Army Aviator wings.
His most recent role was Professor of Military Science and department chair for ODU's Army ROTC, following positions as Brigade S3 in the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, and Squadron S3 in the 3-17 Air Cavalry Squadron. Shah held a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a Military Science minor from ODU, a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Kansas, and an MBA from the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business in 2018.
Shah's awards included the Senior Army Aviator Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, two Bronze Stars, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medal with Valor, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, Joint Service Achievement Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, and various campaign and unit honors. He was recognized as an advocate for minority and veteran business education, a community volunteer, and a recipient of diversity and inclusion awards.
The shooting occurred around 10:50 a.m. in Constant Hall, where shooter Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a 36-year-old Sierra Leonean immigrant and former Army National Guard member convicted in 2016 of ISIS support, entered an ROTC classroom, confirmed its nature, shouted "Allahu Akbar," and opened fire. Jalloh, released early from prison in December 2024 after serving for planning a Fort Hood-style attack, was subdued by ROTC students and fatally shot by police. Two other Army personnel were critically injured.
The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism, with FBI Director Kash Patel noting students' role in neutralizing the threat. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger expressed heartbreak over Shah's loss, praising ROTC students' bravery. ODU President Brian O. Hemphill called it a "tragedy," suspending classes. University of Georgia and Voorhees University issued statements honoring Shah, noting his MBA and family ties. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll confirmed the victims' military affiliations.