Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah was identified as the instructor killed by the terrorist shooter who opened fire at Old Dominion University in Virginia on Thursday.
Shah was fatally shot by terrorist Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former National Guard soldier who was previously convicted of supporting ISIS, according to multiple reports. Jalloh, who is a naturalized American citizen from Sierra Leone, stormed a classroom and asked if it was an ROTC class, according to the New York Post.
After someone confirmed that it was an ROTC course, Jalloh shot the professor several times, the news outlet reported.
Shah was a decorated military hero who served the United States in major war zones.
Shah enlisted in the Army in 2003 as an Aviation Operations Specialist and later obtained the rank of sergeant, according to the university. During his time enlisted, Shah served in the active-duty Army, Army Reserve, and Virginia Army National Guard.
He also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and a rotation to Atlantic Resolve.
Since his Old Dominion commissioning, Shah earned his Army Aviation Senior Aviator wings after flying more than 1,200 hours in three different aircraft and completing over 600 combat flight hours, according to the school.
Shah last served as the Brigade S3 in the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia. Before that, he served as the Squadron S3 in the 3-17 Air Cavalry Squadron overseeing modernization efforts for attack helicopters.
The university described Shah as “an advocate for minority and veteran business education and involvement” who “holds a variety of accolades including combat heroism awards and diversity and inclusion honors.”
“Brandon also volunteers his time to support the less fortunate,” his university profile reads.
His awards include the Senior Army Aviator Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge. He also received the Bronze Star (2 awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Air Medal with Valor, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3 awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2 awards), and numerous campaign and unit awards.
Nearly a decade ago, Jalloh, 36, discussed plans to carry out a Fort Hood-style attack while communicating with a person he believed was an ISIS terrorist who was actually a government informant, according to NBC4 Washington. Jalloh was sentenced to 11 years behind bars for providing material support to a terrorist organization and an additional five years of supervised release.
He was released early in December 2024, according to the New York Post.
Jalloh was killed by “a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him,” FBI Director Kash Patel said Thursday.
Shah died at the hospital, the New York Post reported. Two others were wounded in the shooting. The injured victims were later identified as “Army personnel,” Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said.
Hours before the university shooting, an attacker rammed a vehicle into a Michigan synagogue before opening fire on the building. No one was killed in the earlier attack.
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