A shooting incident at Old Dominion University in Norfolk led to one death and two people being critically injured on Thursday morning, prompting a major emergency response on campus. Authorities reported that the incident occurred shortly before 11 a.m. near Constant Hall, a building located within the university grounds. According to officials, the person who carried out the attack was killed during the incident after several students intervened to stop the situation. Kash Patel confirmed that the case is being investigated by the Joint Terrorism Task Force to determine whether the event is connected to a broader threat. The two injured individuals were transported to nearby hospitals and were reported to be in critical condition. In response, the university quickly issued alerts urging students and staff to follow safety procedures and avoid the affected area while law enforcement secured the campus.
Students on campus described moments of confusion and fear as the situation unfolded. One student reported hearing several gunshots followed by people shouting and running for safety inside a campus building where exams were taking place. Local law enforcement, university police, and federal agencies responded rapidly, establishing a strong police presence around the scene. The campus, which serves around 24,000 students and sits just a few miles from Naval Station Norfolk, was temporarily placed under lockdown while authorities worked to ensure there were no additional threats. Abigail Spanberger said that state resources were being mobilized to support the response and assist local emergency teams. Officials have asked members of the public to stay away from the area as investigators gather information and confirm details about the incident. University operations were suspended for the remainder of the day while safety checks and the investigation continued.