Confirmed wording is transcribed character-for-character from a primary source. Use Verify this quote under each message to open that source in a new tab and compare the text yourself.
INITIAL ALERTPush
Verified verbatim·135 chars
ODU Urgent Alert: Active threat reported at Constant Hall. Follow Run-Hide-Fight protocols. Emergency personnel responding. Avoid area.
Corrected to exact text from ODU Messages & Alerts archive (3-12-26 (10:48 a.m.)).
UPDATEPush
Verified verbatim·329 chars
Due to an active shooter situation in which the shooter has been neutralized, all classes and operations on the main campus are suspended for the remainder of the day (Thursday, March 12, 2026). Avoid the area in and around Constant Hall where emergency officials continue to work. An update will be provided as soon as possible.
Corrected to exact text from ODU Messages & Alerts archive (3-12-26 (11:30 a.m.)).
ALL CLEARPush+1h 15m
Verified verbatim·245 chars
O.D.U. Urgent Alert: This is an all clear notification. The emergency at Constant Hall has ended. There is no longer an active threat to the campus community. Avoid the area in and around Constant Hall where emergency officials continue to work.
Corrected to exact text from ODU Messages & Alerts archive (3-12-26 (12:05 p.m.)).
UPDATEPush+2h 53m
Verified verbatim·707 chars
O.D.U. Urgent Alert: In an effort to provide counseling services and other support for the campus and the community, Old Dominion University will be closed tomorrow (Friday, March 13, 2026) at all locations. Classes are cancelled, and operations are suspended.
On Friday, March 13, 2026, counselors will be on the main campus and available from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Student counseling will be available in Broderick Dining Commons. Faculty, staff, and community counseling will be available in Student Government Chambers at Webb Center. Food services will be available for those remaining in campus housing.
Continue to avoid the area in and around Constant Hall as the investigation is ongoing.
Exact O.D.U. Urgent Alert text from official ODU Forever Monarch Strong archive for 1:43 p.m. March 12
UPDATEWebsite
Verified verbatim·506 chars
Shortly before 10:49 a.m., a gunman in Constant Hall opened fire. Two people were injured. Old Dominion University Police, Norfolk Police and emergency personnel responded; immediately. The gunman is now deceased. The injured were transported to a local hospital.
Old Dominion University has canceled classes and operations on main campus for the remainder of the day. Please avoid the area in and around Constant Hall where emergency personnel continue to work. Next update will be provided at 12:15 p.m.
Exact text from ODU official Messages & Alerts archive
UPDATEWebsite
Verified verbatim·354 chars
As of 11:43 a.m., there is no longer a threat at Old Dominion University. Please continue to avoid the area in and around Constant Hall where emergency personnel continue to work.
As a reminder, Old Dominion University has canceled classes and operations on main campus for the remainder of the day, March 12, 2026. The next update will be at 12:30 p.m.
Exact text from ODU official Messages & Alerts archive
UPDATEWebsite
Verified verbatim·695 chars
1:45 p.m. Continue to avoid the area in and around Constant Hall as the investigation is ongoing.
In an effort to provide counseling services and other support for the campus and the community, Old Dominion University will be closed tomorrow (Friday, March 13, 2026) at all locations. Classes are cancelled, and operations are suspended.
On Friday, March 13, 2026, counselors will be on the main campus and available from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Student counseling will be available in Broderick Dining Commons. Faculty, staff, and community counseling will be available in Student Government Chambers at Webb Center. Food services will be available for those remaining in campus housing.
Exact text from ODU official Messages & Alerts archive
Corrected 2026-07-19: restored double space after "Dining Commons." from official HTML ( + space).
UPDATEEmail
Verified verbatim·1618 chars
Dear Monarchs:
Earlier today, March 12, 2026, Old Dominion University faced a tragedy on our main campus. I am grateful for the swift response of our police officers, emergency management personnel, and our partners at the City of Norfolk who promptly assisted the injured.
Due to the incident, Old Dominion University has canceled classes and suspended operations on main campus for the remainder of the day, March 12, 2026. Due to the ongoing investigation, please avoid the area in and around Constant Hall and continue to follow instructions from ODU Alerts. Family Information Center is available in Chartway Arena’s Big Blue Room.
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to go to Broderick Dining Commons for lunch and counseling support. Talk Campus—a 24/7 peer support community—and other online counseling services and resources are also available for students at www.odu.edu/counseling-services. More information will be provided by the Division of Student and Campus Life. For immediate assistance, please call 757-683-4401. Additional updates will be shared through ODU Alerts and posted on the ODU homepage at www.odu.edu.
The safety of our campus community is my top priority. We are deeply committed to safeguarding all Monarchs and ensuring a secure learning, living, and working environment at all times. We take this responsibility very seriously and remain vigilant in our efforts to maintain a safe campus. I extend my thoughts and prayers to those impacted by the incident, as well as the entire campus and the broader community.
Sincerely,
Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.
President
Exact text from official ODU president article; community-wide administrative email
UPDATEEmail
Verified verbatim·1050 chars
Dear Members of the Old Dominion University Campus Community:
As tragedy struck the main campus earlier today when a lone gunman entered Constant Hall and opened fire in a classroom, we join together to pay tribute to our fellow Monarch who was lost and the two students who were injured. We recognize members of our campus and community who were deeply impacted by this senseless act of violence. And, we acknowledge the quick response and direct support from campus, city, state, and federal police officers and emergency responders.
In the days, weeks, and months to come, we will continue to provide resources to our campus and our community. I encourage all Monarchs to utilize the available services as they can truly make a difference during this difficult time. And, while this tragedy has changed us as individuals and as an institution, we will continue to focus on providing a safe and supportive environment, while also sharing updates as new information emerges.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.
President
Exact community-wide administrative email from odu.edu/president during emergency aftermath
UPDATEEmail
Verified verbatim·2535 chars
Dear Members of the Old Dominion University Campus Community:
Following the horrific tragedy and senseless act of violence that occurred in Constant Hall on the morning of March 12, 2026, we pay tribute to one of our very own, Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah ’07, a dedicated Monarch, public servant, and true hero.
Above all else, Lt. Col. Shah embodied what it means to be a devoted family man, a revered leader, and heroic protector even in his final moments. He was a shining example for his students and all Monarchs.
Lt. Col. Shah was a beloved and respected leader at Old Dominion University. He personally guided students in the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion through his caring spirit and combat experience.
After enlisting in the Army in 2003, Lt. Col. Shah enrolled at Old Dominion University in 2005. He received his Army commission and graduated in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He fulfilled his dream to be an Army pilot, flying an AH64 Apache over Iraq, Afghanistan, and Eastern Europe during Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Atlantic Resolve.
Lt. Col. Shah logged more than 1,200 hours, 600 of them on combat missions, in three aircraft. In his last position before joining Old Dominion University, he served as Director of Operations for the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade in Savannah, Georgia, where he oversaw day-to-day operations, training, modernization and long-range plans.
In 2022, Lt. Col. Shah returned to Old Dominion University to lead the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion, where he oversaw a nearly 50% increase in enrollment during his first year. As Professor of Military Science and Department Chair, he took immense pride in his students, particularly seeing the transformation they made “when they turn from being a student into being a soldier-leader.”
In 2023, Lt. Col. Shah was named to the Old Dominion University Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 Class. His presence and impact were felt on campus from bringing back the University’s rappelling exercise at S.B. Ballard Stadium in 2023 to imparting valuable life lessons at commissioning ceremonies for new military officers.
Together, as Monarchs, we mourn the devasting loss of Lt. Col. Shah as we honor his life, which was marked by significant service and countless contributions. We express our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, loved ones, dear friends, trusted colleagues, and all of those impacted by this horrific tragedy.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.
President
Exact community-wide administrative email from odu.edu/president during emergency aftermath
UPDATEEmail
Verified verbatim·4626 chars
Dear Members of the Old Dominion University Campus Community:
As Monarchs, we have experienced a range of emotions in the aftermath of a horrific tragedy that struck our campus a week ago today. I invite you, in your own way, to observe a personal moment of silence at any point today in reflection and unity of what it means to be Monarch Strong. With our collective and individual efforts to process and understand this senseless act of violence, we are grieving together. That important process will continue as we prepare to reunite this coming Monday (March 23, 2026) following Spring Break.
We continue to focus on honoring the life and legacy of Lieutenant Colonel Brandon A. Shah ’07. The family has announced a celebration of life service to be held this Sunday (March 22, 2026) beginning at 1:00 PM in Chartway Arena. This service, organized by the Shah family with support from Presidential Funeral Services of Portsmouth, is open to all Old Dominion University students, faculty, and staff.
The Army, in conjunction with Old Dominion University, is currently planning an on-campus event to be held on Thursday, April 2, 2026 with a traditional 21-gun salute, which is revered as the highest military honor and a symbolic ceremonial tribute. Event details, once finalized, will be shared with the campus community. I hope you will be able to attend what will be a touching tribute to Lt. Col. Shah, an Old Dominion University alumnus, who in every aspect of his life personified the Monarch values of integrity, leadership, and service.
I also want to recognize the cadets in the classroom. Their actions, under unimaginable circumstances, saved lives and embodied the very leadership and selflessness that Lt. Col. Shah instilled in them and so many others. They are true warriors and are to be recognized for their bravery and courage!
For many of you, this coming Monday will be your first time back on campus since the tragedy on March 12, 2026. It will be important to talk through this experience with each other. The University is offering in-person and online support resources, including but not limited to drop-in counseling in Webb Student Center. Please visit https://www.odu.edu/emergency/emergency-alert/support-resources for specific details.
As we prepare to come back together on Monday, we are also taking additional steps that reflect both the seriousness of this tragedy and our shared responsibility for one another’s safety. As part of our ongoing, comprehensive approach to campus safety and security that includes both established protocols and continuous evaluation, we will be asking all students to complete a brief questionnaire related to their personal history and campus awareness.
While this is not a routine step, it reflects our commitment to thoughtfully consider every appropriate measure that serves the well-being of our community. We will not hesitate to take additional or non-traditional steps when they are warranted to support the safety of our campus community.
Once again, I express my sincere appreciation to the entire community, which has responded to this horrific tragedy with an outpouring of compassion, resilience, and unity. We have rallied around the people and the University that we all care about deeply. And, with an independent review of safety and security to be conducted in the near future, we will have discussions about what else can or should be done, and I have no doubt that we will continue to learn and reflect together.
I would like to close by sharing with you one special aspect of Lt. Col. Shah’s remarkable story and long-lasting impact. When his assignment at Old Dominion University was set to conclude, he asked the Army to extend it, because he wanted to stay on our campus and continue to lead the cadets and the program he cared about so deeply. Without question, he made the ultimate sacrifice at and for our University, because this is the place he wanted to be, while leading and teaching the next generation. Indeed, that is the definition of a remarkable life grounded in sacrifice and service above all else.
As we move forward together, we cannot and will not simply move on. We will carry with us the incredible impact and lasting memory of Lieutenant Colonel Brandon A. Shah ’07. We will boldly and proudly honor his sacrifice, as well as the actions of the warriors who were in the room with him. We will strive to emulate the example they all set to be Monarch Strong, while we embark on a healing journey.
Forever Monarch Strong,
Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.
President
Exact community-wide admin email from odu.edu/president
Message elements
How the first alert is built
To check this alert, Claude (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.
ODU Urgent Alert: Active threat reported at Constant Hall. Follow Run-Hide-Fight protocols. Emergency personnel responding. Avoid area.
Sourcepresent18/25
Final assessment
Majority (17 of 24) count the branded 'ODU Urgent Alert' signature as identifying the source; a minority of dissents argued the brand alone doesn't name a specific responding authority, but the branded signature convention is treated as sufficient elsewhere in this corpus.
Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.
See all 25 individual reads
present: 'ODU Urgent Alert' branded signature.
absent: No sender or authority named, only 'ODU Urgent Alert' brand implies institution but no agency.
present: 'ODU Urgent Alert' branded signature.
present: Branded "ODU Urgent Alert" signature.
present: 'ODU Urgent Alert' branded signature.
present: 'ODU Urgent Alert' branded signature.
absent: 'ODU Urgent Alert' names institution but no specific responding authority; still a branded signature.
present: 'ODU Urgent Alert' identifies sender.
absent: No sender or agency identified beyond 'ODU Urgent Alert' branded signature, which does count as source.
present: Labeled "ODU Urgent Alert"
present: ODU Urgent Alert identifies the sender.
absent: 'ODU Urgent Alert' is a branded signature identifying the university as sender.
present: Branded 'ODU Urgent Alert' signature.
present: Labeled 'ODU Urgent Alert'.
present: ODU Urgent Alert names the issuing system.
absent: No sender or issuing authority is named beyond "ODU Urgent Alert."
absent: No sender or authority named, only 'ODU Urgent Alert' label without clear issuer.
present: "ODU Urgent Alert" branded signature
present: Branded 'ODU Urgent Alert' signature identifies the issuer.
present: Labeled ODU Urgent Alert.
absent: No sender or issuing authority identified, 'ODU Urgent Alert' is a branded tag with no agency.
present: Branded 'ODU Urgent Alert' signature.
present: 'ODU Urgent Alert' branded signature.
Hazardpresent21/25
Final assessment
Majority (21 of 24) accept 'Active threat' as naming the hazard type, even though generic; a few reads flagged it as too vague, but most treat it as adequate given the accompanying Run-Hide-Fight protocol context.
What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.
See all 25 individual reads
absent: 'Active threat' is vague, no specific hazard type named.
present: 'Active threat reported' names hazard generically as active threat.
present: 'Active threat' referenced, though somewhat generic; retained as it implies armed threat context with RHF protocol.
absent: "Active threat" is vague, no specific hazard type named.
present: 'Active threat reported' names the hazard type generically as threat.
present: 'Active threat reported' combined with location implies hazard, though generic 'threat' alone; still names 'Active threat'.
present: 'Active threat' is vague but implies serious threat; borderline, coded as not specific enough.
present: 'Active threat' named.
present: Names active threat.
present: Names "Active threat" as the hazard
absent: Active threat is a vague label that does not specify the nature of the danger.
present: Active threat named.
present: Names 'Active threat'.
absent: Only 'active threat', no specific hazard type named.
present: Active threat named as the hazard.
present: Names "Active threat."
present: 'Active threat reported'.
present: 'Active threat' with weapon-implicit RHF protocol named.
present: 'Active threat' names general hazard, though vague.
present: "Active threat" reported, contextually a violent threat
present: Names 'Active threat' as the specific hazard.
present: Names active threat.
present: 'Active threat' vaguely names a threat type, borderline but coded as hazard present given context of protocols.
present: States 'Active threat'.
present: 'Active threat' names hazard generically but tied to shooter-style protocol context; borderline but retained as 'active threat' names type of threat.
Locationpresent25/25
Final assessment
Unanimous: 'Constant Hall' is a specific named location.
Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.
See all 25 individual reads
present: 'Constant Hall' named.
present: 'Constant Hall' named.
present: 'Constant Hall'.
present: Constant Hall specified.
present: 'Constant Hall' specified.
present: 'Constant Hall'.
present: 'Constant Hall'.
present: 'Constant Hall.'
present: Names Constant Hall.
present: Names Constant Hall
present: Names Constant Hall.
present: Constant Hall specified.
present: Names Constant Hall.
present: Names 'Constant Hall'.
present: Constant Hall specified.
present: Names "Constant Hall."
present: 'Constant Hall'.
present: 'Constant Hall' named.
present: 'Constant Hall'.
present: "Constant Hall" specified
present: Names 'Constant Hall.'
present: Constant Hall specified.
present: 'Constant Hall' given.
present: Names 'Constant Hall'.
present: 'Constant Hall' given.
Guidancepresent25/25
Final assessment
Unanimous: the alert instructs recipients to 'Follow Run-Hide-Fight protocols' and 'Avoid area.'
The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.
Unanimous: no clock time or date is given anywhere in the message.
When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.
See all 25 individual reads
absent: No clock time or date given.
absent: No clock time or recency marker given.
absent: No clock time or recency marker given.
absent: No clock time or date given.
absent: No clock time or date given.
absent: No clock time given.
absent: No clock time or date given.
absent: No clock time or recency given.
absent: No clock time or date given.
absent: No clock time or date given
absent: No time or recency reference given.
absent: No clock time or date given.
absent: No clock time or date given.
absent: No clock time or date given.
absent: No specific time given.
absent: No clock time or date given.
absent: No time given.
absent: No clock time or recency term given.
absent: No clock time or date given.
absent: No clock time or date given
absent: No clock time or date given.
absent: No clock time or date given.
absent: No clock time or recency marker present.
absent: No clock time or date given.
absent: No clock time or date given.
Impactabsent0/25
Final assessment
Unanimous: no consequence or severity is stated beyond naming the active threat.
What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.
See all 25 individual reads
absent: No stated consequence or severity.
absent: No stated consequence beyond hazard name.
absent: No stated consequence or severity.
absent: No stated consequence or severity.
absent: No stated consequence beyond hazard name.
absent: No stated consequence.
absent: No stated consequence or severity.
absent: No stated consequence beyond hazard name.
absent: No stated consequence or severity.
absent: No stated consequence beyond hazard name
absent: No stated consequence or severity.
absent: No stated consequence beyond hazard name.
absent: No stated consequence or severity described beyond the hazard name.
absent: No stated consequence or severity.
absent: No stated harm or consequence beyond hazard name.
absent: No stated consequence or severity.
absent: No stated consequence beyond hazard name.
absent: No stated consequence or severity.
absent: No stated consequence.
absent: No stated consequence beyond hazard name
absent: No stated consequence beyond naming the hazard.
absent: No stated consequence described.
absent: No stated consequence or severity described.
absent: No stated consequence or severity.
absent: No stated consequence beyond hazard name.
Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.
01ROTC students subdued and killed the gunman before police arrived, limiting the death toll
02The entire active shooting lasted approximately seven minutes from first shots to the gunman being neutralized
03The attacker had a prior federal terrorism conviction and had been released from prison 15 months before the attack
04The shooting triggered copycat bomb threats at multiple Virginia universities the next day
Outcome
Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah, 42, the ROTC department chair for military sciences, was killed after lunging at the shooter to place himself between the gunman and the class. Two ROTC cadets were injured. The gunman, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, 36, was fatally stabbed (not shot) by ROTC students who subdued him. The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism; Jalloh had a prior federal conviction for attempting to provide material support to ISIS and was released from prison in 2024. Eight cadets later received Meritorious Service Medals and two received Purple Hearts.
Provenance
Sources
Every claim on this page is meant to be checkable. Open the links below (and the Verify this quote control under each confirmed alert) to read the original university, news, or archive page yourself. Hostnames are shown so you can see where you are going; archived copies survive when live pages move or disappear. See also our methodology.
Campus Alert Archive. "Old Dominion University: ROTC instructor killed in a classroom attack; cadets subdued the gunman." Incident of March 12, 2026. Added May 2026; last updated July 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/old-dominion-university-shooting-2026-03-12/