Communities across the United States are reeling after separate attacks on a Michigan synagogue and Old Dominion University in Virginia unfolded within two hours of each other on Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14, 2026. Officials noted that the outcomes could have been more severe were it not for the intervention of residents.
Old Dominion University Shooting
The shooting at Old Dominion University in Virginia involved Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Army National Guard member who served time in prison for attempting to aid the Islamic State. Jalloh yelled “Allahu akbar” and inquired about an ROTC event before opening fire in a classroom, authorities said.
Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, an ROTC leader, was killed, and two others were wounded. One of the wounded individuals has been released from the hospital, while the other remains in fair condition at Sentara Health. The FBI praised the bravery of ROTC students who subdued Jalloh, preventing further harm.
Details on the Shooter
Jalloh, a naturalized U.S. Citizen originally from Sierra Leone, served as a specialist with the Virginia Army National Guard until 2015. He pleaded guilty in 2017 to providing material support to the Islamic State and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. He was released early after completing a drug treatment program, though it remains unclear how he qualified for this program given his terrorism-related conviction.
After being transferred to a residential reentry center in August 2024, Jalloh was released from federal custody and was on probation while taking online classes at the university.
Michigan Synagogue Attack
At Temple Israel, a major synagogue near Detroit, Ayman Mohammad Ghazali, 41, rammed his vehicle into the building, which housed an early learning center with 140 children and staff. He then exchanged gunfire with security personnel.
Ghazali fatally shot himself after becoming stuck in his vehicle, which subsequently caught fire. A security officer was hit by the vehicle and knocked unconscious. The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of violence targeting the Jewish community, but has not yet classified it as an act of terror.
Personal Connection to Violence
Ghazali had recently learned that four of his family members were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon. The incident occurred while they were breaking their speedy during Ramadan. Israel has increased attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Ghazali came to the U.S. In 2011 and became a U.S. Citizen in 2016. He lived in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, approximately 38 miles from the synagogue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Old Dominion University?
Mohamed Bailor Jalloh opened fire in a classroom at Old Dominion University, killing one person and wounding two others before being subdued and killed by ROTC students.
What was the motive behind the Michigan synagogue attack?
Ayman Mohammad Ghazali rammed his vehicle into Temple Israel after learning that four of his family members had been killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon.
Are these attacks considered acts of terror?
The FBI is investigating the Old Dominion University shooting as an act of terrorism. The attack on the Michigan synagogue is being investigated as an act of violence targeting the Jewish community, but has not yet been classified as an act of terror.
As investigations continue, communities are left to grapple with the aftermath of these events and consider what security measures may be necessary to prevent future tragedies.
