‘Critical failure’ allowed ODU gunman to attend school despite ISIS link

‘Critical failure’ allowed ODU gunman to attend school despite ISIS link The university's president said the report also shed new light on the ’extraordinary heroism and bravery‘ shown by a teacher and cadets - Bookmark A student who spent eight years in prison for attempting to aid the Islamic State and later opened fire in a classroom at Old Dominion University was readmitted to the institution without any inquiry into his extensive criminal history, an investigative report revealed on Tuesday. Mohamed Bailor Jalloh’s probation officer also failed to disclose his serious criminal background to the university in Norfolk, Virginia. The report indicated that had the university been aware of Jalloh’s past, officials would likely have sought his removal from campus. Virginia state law prohibits universities from inquiring about a student's criminal history prior to admission or readmission, though checks are permitted afterward. The investigative report, produced by the law firm Cooley, highlighted this systemic flaw. "Given that Virginia law requires universities to rely on student self-disclosure, it is even more important that other law enforcement agencies ensure that information that universities need to know to safeguard their students is shared with universities. This critical failure led to tragic consequences here," the report stated. Jalloh, a former member of the Virginia National Guard, was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2017 after pleading guilty to providing material support to the designated foreign terrorist organization, the Islamic State group. Prison records confirm he secured early release from federal prison after completing a drug treatment program. In March, shortly after re-enrolling at Old Dominion, Jalloh entered a classroom. After asking if it was an ROTC class and receiving an affirmative response, he opened fire, according to authorities and the report. Cadets and authorities present in the room bravely disarmed Jalloh, stabbing him in the process, and then desperately attempted to save the life of an instructor who had grappled with the gunman. Tragically, the instructor, Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, sustained fatal wounds. The university president acknowledged the report also illuminated the "extraordinary heroism and bravery" displayed by Lt. Col. Shah and the cadets during the incident. University President Brian O. Hemphill affirmed in a statement, "The campus community has my complete assurance that we will act quickly to fully implement Cooley’s recommendations as we actively work to make our campus as safe and secure as possible." [Image text:] POLICE -752L BETHECHANGE APPLY TODAY 757-664-6688 POLICE NORFOLK POLIC CRFOLN POLICE 256-296L