Army ROTC Cadets Recall Heroic Final Actions of Instructor Lt. Col. Brandon Shah in Old Dominion University Shooting
The Army ROTC community is mourning after cadets from Lt. Col. Brandon Shah were killed while defending students during a sudden classroom attack at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. In newly released video interviews, eight cadets shared emotional accounts of the incident, describing how Shah’s leadership and bravery helped them survive the deadly encounter.
The cadets, members of the university’s Army ROTC program, said the attack unfolded without warning during a routine Military Science class. According to their accounts, the instructor immediately reacted when the gunman entered the room, attempting to stop the assault and protect his students.
Several cadets credited Shah’s final actions with giving them the critical seconds needed to respond. One student, Samuel Reineberg, said the group’s ability to act under pressure came directly from Shah’s prior combat casualty care training. Another cadet, Louis Ancheta, who was wounded in the attack, recalled that Shah used his last moments of strength to engage the shooter and create an opening for others to fight back.
“Col. Shah used the last of his strength to tackle that guy and gave us just enough time that we needed,” Ancheta said in the interview.
Cadets also described how the situation escalated when the attacker—identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh—entered the classroom and opened fire. Some students sustained injuries but continued resisting, forming a coordinated response that they say was shaped by their military training and Shah’s instruction.
The attacker reportedly shouted religious phrases during the incident and used a small-caliber firearm. Authorities noted his prior criminal history, including a federal conviction for attempting to provide material support to extremist activity linked to Anwar al-Awlaki.
Despite the chaos, cadets emphasized that Shah’s leadership remained central to their survival. Many described him not only as an instructor but as a mentor who instilled discipline, quick thinking, and courage under fire.
The Army has highlighted the cadets’ actions as an example of effective training and rapid response in active shooter situations. However, for the students involved, the focus remains on honoring the sacrifice of their fallen instructor, whom they credit with saving multiple lives through his final act of heroism.