Old Dominion attacker purchased stolen gun days before attack, ATF says
Old Dominion Shooter Acquired Stolen Weapon Days Before Attack, ATF Reveals
A Virginia resident, previously linked to firearms-related inquiries, sold a stolen handgun to a man convicted of supporting ISIS, who later used it in a fatal shooting at Old Dominion University, federal authorities disclosed Friday. The weapon, a Glock 44 with a modified serial number, was found in the classroom where the attack occurred, according to an affidavit by ATF Special Agent Brian Gleason.
Law enforcement executed a search at Kenya Chapman’s home, uncovering .22 caliber ammunition matching the firearm recovered from the ODU incident, the affidavit noted. Chapman admitted to transferring the gun to Mohamed Bailor Jalloh for $100 cash and presented the bill to agents as evidence, the document stated. The gun was allegedly stolen from a vehicle in Newport News, Virginia, nearly a year before the shooting, according to Gleason.
Convicted Terrorist on Probation
Thirty-six-year-old Jalloh had been previously sentenced for aiding the Islamic State and was under probation at the time of the attack. During his 2017 sentencing, he expressed regret, stating the act did not reflect his personal values, court records indicated. Federal prosecutors confirmed the gun sold to Jalloh by Chapman was the one used in the ODU shooting.
Following the attack, students intervened, with one stabbing the assailant to prevent further casualties. “They can’t believe it would happen here,” shared Brooke Barnett, the campus chaplain, who has been meeting with students in small groups. “The guy who stopped it is a hero,” said Caleb Hardman, an ODU freshman, who recounted how his roommate was present during the incident.
“Thanks to the hard work of our dedicated ATF and FBI agents, in partnership with state and local law enforcement officers, we have arrested and charged this safety threat and removed him from the community,” Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche remarked in a statement.
The FBI has classified the shooting in Norfolk as a potential act of terrorism, urging the public to provide any information about Jalloh. “The shooting at ODU is a tragic event for our community,” the agency added. “We mourn the loss of life while we acknowledge the students who showed extreme bravery and courage by stopping the shooter and preventing further loss of life.”
Jalloh’s actions resulted in the death of Army Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah and injured two other military personnel. Students subdued the attacker, rendering him unconscious before he could cause additional harm, as detailed by Dominique Evans, head of the Norfolk field office.
ODU’s ROTC website stated, “The Old Dominion University community is grieving following the tragic act of violence on our main campus.” The school expressed solidarity with Shah’s family and the broader ROTC community.
Credit for the report goes to Chloe Atkins of NBC News’ National Security and Law Unit, Tom Winter as NBC’s National Law Enforcement and Intelligence Correspondent, and Jonathan Dienst as chief justice contributor for NBC News and chief investigative reporter for WNBC-TV.
