TL;DR
- ROTC cadets honor Lt. Col. Shah after he died stopping a shooter.
- The incident occurred during class at Old Dominion University.
- Cadets bravely fought the shooter to save lives.
- Shah’s actions are remembered as heroic and selfless.
- Students reflect on his impact as a mentor.
In a tragic turn of events at Old Dominion University, ROTC cadets found themselves facing a nightmare scenario that would forever change their lives. As they prepared for class, a stranger entered the room, and what seemed like an ordinary day quickly spiraled into chaos. The man, later identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, pulled out a Glock handgun and opened fire, leaving a lasting mark on the hearts of those present.
“I wasn’t thinking about what that question really meant,” cadet Louis Ancheta recalled, reflecting on the moment the intruder asked if it was an ROTC class. The shock of the situation hit hard when Jalloh shouted something—some cadets heard it as “Allahu Akbar”—before the gunfire erupted. “My first thought was ‘Is this a drill?’” cadet Oshea Bego said. But reality set in fast as cadets dropped to the ground, trying to comprehend the horror unfolding before them.
In a desperate act of bravery, Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah, the instructor, lunged at Jalloh, attempting to subdue him. Tragically, he was shot in the process. Cadets witnessed the chaos as they scrambled to help their instructor, with Ancheta saying, “I opened my pocketknife as Jalloh fired two shots.” In a moment of sheer courage, cadets banded together, stabbing and wrestling with Jalloh in a fight for their lives.
“Just start stabbing him,” Ancheta said, describing the frantic struggle. “As I’m stabbing him, other cadets jump in.” The students fought valiantly, eventually gaining control of the gun, but not before the damage was done. Lt. Col. Shah succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a legacy of courage and mentorship.
Cadet Jah-Ire Urtarte expressed the profound impact Shah had on their lives, stating, “He saw the best in us.” His mantra, “Be bold, be quick, be gone,” now resonates deeply with those he inspired. The cadets used a belt as a tourniquet on Shah, showcasing their quick thinking in a dire situation, but it was not enough to save him.
As the cadets reflect on that fateful day, they honor the memory of Lt. Col. Shah, a hero who stood up against evil to protect his students. His sacrifice serves as a reminder of the bravery that can emerge in the face of unimaginable fear. The cadets are left with a heavy heart, yet they carry forward the lessons of courage and resilience that Shah instilled in them.
This tragic incident at Old Dominion University highlights the ongoing conversation about gun violence and safety on campuses. As we remember Lt. Col. Shah, let us also strive for a world where such heroism is not needed, and where safety and peace reign supreme.