Former U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the National Bar Association’s 100th Annual Awards Gala in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. July 31, 2025. REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski
(Washington, DC) – New details are emerging in the investigation into the deadly shooting at Old Dominion University, including questions about the firearm used in the attack and the person who allegedly sold it.
According to reporting tied to the case, the gun seller connected to the weapon used in the ODU shooting had a prior history of illegal firearm sales, but the case was not prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Investigators say the individual had previously come under scrutiny for selling firearms in ways that may have violated federal law. Despite that history, the case was reportedly declined for prosecution, meaning federal charges were not pursued.
The revelation has sparked renewed debate over federal enforcement of gun trafficking and illegal firearm sales, particularly in cases where suspects have been previously investigated.
The shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, left a retired military officer dead after a gunman entered an ROTC classroom and opened fire. Authorities later identified the suspect as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former National Guardsman previously linked to an ISIS-related case.
As investigators continue piecing together how the suspect obtained the weapon used in the attack, attention has turned to the alleged seller and the earlier decision not to pursue charges.
Critics argue the case highlights potential gaps in federal gun enforcement, while others caution that decisions not to prosecute can depend on the strength of available evidence and legal standards.
The investigation into the shooting and the weapon’s origins remains ongoing.
