University Attack Details
The FBI is investigating Thursday's shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, as an act of terrorism, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. One person was killed and two others were injured in the attack at the Virginia institution. The suspected gunman, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, is also dead.
Jalloh, 36, was identified as the shooter by an FBI spokesman. The mortally wounded victim was identified as Army Lieutenant Colonel Brandon A. Shah. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said the two people injured at the university were Army personnel. Dominique Evans, special agent in charge of the FBI's Norfolk field office, said Jalloh shouted "Allahu Akbar" before opening fire. ROTC students killed Jalloh during the confrontation.
Gunman's Prior Conviction
Jalloh previously pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Court documents show he was on probation for that terrorism-related charge when he carried out Thursday's attack. He served in the Virginia National Guard from 2009 to 2015 as a combat engineer and was honorably discharged, according to military officials.
According to a government sentencing memo, Jalloh sent gift card codes to an undercover FBI employee who he believed was a member of ISIS. He traveled to North Carolina in 2016 to try to buy an AK-47 for what the memo described as a "plot to murder US military personnel." The owner refused to sell it, and Jalloh bought an AR-15 at a gun store. He was arrested the next day. Jalloh was sentenced to 11 years in prison and five years of probation and was released in 2024.
Synagogue Ramming in Michigan
In West Bloomfield, Michigan, the FBI is investigating a vehicle ramming at Temple Israel Synagogue as a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community. The suspect, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, 41, is dead. Ghazali was identified by the Department of Homeland Security as a naturalized U.S. citizen from Lebanon.
Ghazali, armed with a rifle, died after a shootout with security at the synagogue. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said that one synagogue security guard was hit by the suspect's truck and was "knocked unconscious" but was expected to be OK. No staff or children were injured. Thirty law enforcement officers were transported to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation, according to Bouchard.
Synagogue Attack Details
The truck swerved around bollards, crashed through Temple Israel's front doors, and drove down the hall before security personnel opened fire. The truck contained fireworks and an unidentified chemical agent that ignited soon after the crash.
Ghazali entered the U.S. in May 2011 on an immigrant visa as the spouse of a U.S. citizen and became a U.S. citizen in February 2016, according to DHS.
Reactions to Synagogue Attack
Temple Israel said the security personnel who confronted the suspect are "heroes" and the "teachers followed their training and kept the children safe and calm." Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny said she was heading to Temple Israel when a staff member texted her saying they were hiding from gunshots under a desk. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said, "This is heartbreaking. Michigan's Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace."
President Donald Trump said he's been "fully briefed" on the incident and sent love to the Michigan Jewish community. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that he spoke with local Jewish leaders in Michigan "to receive an update on the situation and to express our solidarity." He added, "This is a grave and serious incident that follows a series of attacks on Jewish institutions around the world."
Increased Security Measures
Following the attack, all Jewish facilities in the West Bloomfield area will have a lot of extra presence around it until officials figure this out, according to Bouchard. The FBI Detroit field office held an active shooter prevention and preparedness training for the staff and clergy at Temple Israel in January.
