The victim killed in a shooting at the Old Dominion University in Virginia has been identified as Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) instructor Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah.

On Thursday, March 12, Norfolk police responded to “an active incident” at around 11 a.m. local time after a shooter opened fire at the Norfolk, Va., university, PEOPLE previously reported.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has since confirmed on X that Shah was killed in the attack.

“Lt. Col. Brandon Shah was killed today in his classroom at Old Dominion University,” she wrote on Thursday. “A devoted ROTC instructor, Lt. Col. Shah didn’t just lead a life of service to our country, he taught and led others to follow that path.”

Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah.Savannah Roy/U.S. Army/DVIDS via AP

“I am grateful for his example, deeply saddened by his death, and praying for his family,” Spanberger continued.

“Amid this tragedy, I thank the brave students, first responders, and law enforcement officers who responded quickly to today’s horrific attack,” she concluded.

The attack also left two others hospitalized, and the shooter, identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, was “subdued” and killed by students at the scene, the Associated Press reported, citing Dominique Evans, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Norfolk field office.

Evans said at a news conference that the students “rendered him no longer alive,” adding, “I don’t know how else to say it,” per the news agency.

The shooting is being investigated as an act of terrorism, the AP reported, citing FBI Director Kash Patel.

Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah.Old Dominion University

After the victim was identified as Shah, three of his close friends spoke to local station WTKR News 3 via Zoom to pay tribute to the instructor.

“Life is so short … You need to tell your loved ones you love them while you still can,” Aerock Parinas, who met Shah through the ROTC program nearly 20 years ago, said, per the outlet.

Carlos Ortiz added of Shah, “He was so close to the finish line … about to retire … just start the next chapter. You’re not supposed to go to war … come home where you’re safe … and die like that,” according to the station.

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Shah, a Va., native, enlisted in the Army back in 2003 as an aviation operations specialist, before later enrolling at ODU, per the university’s website. The late instructor earned his commission as an officer in 2007 after getting a degree in sociology and a minor in military science.

He was a professor of military science at ODU’s Army ROTC.

“All he wanted to do was come back and teach at ODU. That was his dream … and he got the job,” Ortiz said told the station.

A photo of the Old Dominion University after the shooting on March 12, 2026.Kendall Warner/TNS via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

Former cadet leader, Jason Fedish, shared, “He could take whatever feeling was in the room that wasn’t happy … and make it happy. He just exuded optimism and positivity.”

“What can you say? It’s just Brandon,” Fedish added to the outlet. “If he were here — I’d tell him, ‘I’m proud of you.’ One person can make a change. If we had more people like him … the world would be a much better place.”

Following the attack, the FBI’s Norfolk field office wrote in a Facebook post, “The shooting at ODU is a tragic event for our community. 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.”

“The FBI is going to dig in and track down every single lead as we work alongside our partners to find answers,” they added.

The federal law enforcement agency added in a release, citing Evans, “We are saddened by this tragedy in our community. The FBI mourns the loss of life in this abhorrent tragedy and violence. I’d like to acknowledge the students who showed extreme bravery and courage by containing the shooter and stopping further loss of life.”

“The FBI is now the lead investigative agency investigating this as an act of terrorism. The shooter has been identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh,” Evans continued.

Authorities are pictured at the scene after the Old Dominion University shooting on March 12, 2026.Zach D Roberts/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Evans added, “In 2016, Jalloh was arrested and plead guilty for attempting to provide material support to ISIL, now known as ISIS. Jalloh was sentenced to prison in October 2017 and was released from prison in 2024.”

The release stated, “FBI Norfolk’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and our Evidence Response Team responded to the scene, and we will continue to have a physical presence here at the scene as we process the evidence. Additionally, we are conducting other investigative steps into Jalloh and the specifics of the shooting. We have dedicated analytical and tactical support. We are aiding in this investigation throughout the entire time. We will continue to work alongside of our partners and those in the community to find answers.”

A spokesperson for the FBI’s Norfolk field office did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.