The FBI arrested Kenya Chapman on federal charges alleging he sold the rifle used in the March 12 Old Dominion University classroom shooting. Chapman is accused of making false statements when buying a firearm and dealing weapons without a license; investigators say the rifle's serial number had been obliterated. The weapon was allegedly sold to Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, who killed ROTC instructor Lt. Col. Brandon Shah and wounded two others before being killed. The FBI is treating the attack as potentially terror-related and is urging the public to provide tips.
Man Arrested in Federal Probe After Rifle Used in Old Dominion University Classroom Shooting
Credit: Kendall Warner/TNS via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
Federal authorities have arrested a man they allege sold the rifle used in the deadly Old Dominion University classroom shooting and have charged him with multiple federal firearms offenses.
Details of the Arrest and Charges
According to court documents cited by major outlets, prosecutors charged Kenya Chapman with making false statements while purchasing a firearm and dealing firearms without a license. Federal agents say the rifle sold to Mohamed Bailor Jalloh had its serial number obliterated, and investigators are probing whether false paperwork or unlawful trafficking were involved.
Credit: Old Dominion University
What Chapman Allegedly Told Agents
Court filings reported by FOX 5 indicate Chapman told federal agents he had stolen the rifle from a vehicle in Newport News, Virginia, about a year before the March 12 attack. Chapman reportedly said he and Jalloh met through work and that Jalloh asked for a gun to use for protection while working as a delivery driver. Chapman has denied knowing that Jalloh intended to carry out an attack.
Background on the Shooter
Authorities say Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, 36, entered a classroom in Constant Hall — a building used by Old Dominion's business school — asked whether the session was an ROTC class, and then opened fire. The shooting killed Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah, an ROTC instructor, and wounded two others before students subdued and killed the gunman.
Mohamed JallohCredit: Facebook
Jalloh is a former Virginia National Guard member who pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State and served seven years in prison before his December 2024 release. A 2017 Department of Justice release said he previously attempted to buy an AK-47 and expressed interest in carrying out an attack similar to the 2009 Fort Hood shooting.
Investigation Underway
The FBI Field Office in Norfolk said agents are "delving into every inch" of Jalloh's life and are conducting interviews and searches to build a timeline of his activities before the attack. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the incident is being investigated as a potential terror-related attack. Officials have urged anyone who interacted with Jalloh to submit tips at tips.fbi.gov or fbi.gov/ODUshooting.
Note: The investigation remains active. Charges against Chapman are allegations and have not yet been proven in court.
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