Shooting at Old Dominion University: What you should know

A gunman opened fire Thursday morning at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, injuring two people before being killed, university officials confirmed. The incident prompted an emergency lockdown across campus and placed several nearby schools on secure hold.

The shooting occurred shortly before 10:49 a.m. in Constant Hall, with Norfolk police and emergency personnel responding to the scene. WSLS 10 News Constant Hall is the center of the university’s College of Business, and according to ODU’s website, the building features more than 20 lecture halls and classrooms. 

ODU police, Norfolk police and other emergency personnel responded immediately. Two people in critical condition were transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment, according to hospital spokesperson Dale Gauding. It was not immediately clear how the shooter died.

The university issued its first alert to students and faculty around 10:50 a.m., instructing them to follow Run-Hide-Fight protocols and avoid the area. An all-clear notification was sent at around 12:10 p.m., stating that the emergency at Constant Hall had ended and that there was no longer an active threat to the campus community. 

ODU student Zachary Mulder told WTKR he had just finished class in Constant Hall when the shooting broke out. Mulder described being terrified and said he knew immediately he had to flee in the opposite direction of the crowds running from the building. 

All classes and operations on ODU’s main campus were canceled for the remainder of the day. Three nearby Norfolk Public Schools — Larchmont Elementary, James Monroe Elementary and W.H. Taylor Elementary — were placed on secure hold as a precaution. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament at Norfolk Scope in downtown Norfolk was not affected, with organizers confirming there was no immediate threat to tournament operations.

SEE ALSO: Gunman dead after killing 1, wounding 2 in shooting at Old Dominion University

University President Brian O. Hemphill addressed the campus community in a statement, calling the incident a “tragedy” and expressing gratitude for the swift response of ODU police, emergency personnel and the City of Norfolk. He directed students, faculty and staff to Brodrick Dining Commons for lunch and counseling support, and pointed the campus community to ODU’s counseling services and Talk Campus, a 24/7 peer support platform.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she had spoken directly with university leadership following the shooting. She said her administration remained in close contact with local emergency responders as state support was being mobilized to assist ODU and Norfolk. 

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FBI Director Kash Patel said on social media that FBI personnel were providing assistance and working alongside local authorities responding to the shooting. 

Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi went to the campus after the shooting and confirmed the threat was over.

The investigation is ongoing. ODU has asked the public to continue avoiding the area in and around Constant Hall while emergency personnel work the scene. Updates are being posted to the university’s homepage at odu.edu and through ODU Alerts.

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