Image: from OSGINT X @posted_news
By Open Chronicle Staff
NORFOLK, VA — A typical Thursday morning at Old Dominion University (ODU) turned into a scene of terror as a gunman opened fire inside Constant Hall, the heart of the university’s College of Business. The violence left one victim and the suspected shooter dead, while two others remain hospitalized.
The incident triggered an immediate campus-wide lockdown and a massive federal response, including agents from the ATF and the FBI.
“Screams Getting Louder”
The shooting began during morning classes in the multi-story academic building. Students reported a chaotic transition from confusion to pure panic as a fire alarm began to blare, signaling an evacuation that many initially mistook for a drill.
“We heard like faint screaming… and then we heard the screams getting louder,” Kahari, a junior who was inside Constant Hall, told local reporters. “That’s when the alarm went off, and everyone just like ran.”
Another student described the surreal nature of the morning, stating he was unable to even find words when he finally reached his parents from the safety of a nearby parking garage. “You wake up, you come to class… and then something like this happens.”
The Investigation
ODU Police Chief Garrett Shelton confirmed the fatalities during a midday press conference. While the identity of the deceased victim has not been released pending family notification, Shelton provided details on the survivors:
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Victim 1: Transported to a Norfolk hospital; currently in stable condition.
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Victim 2: Transported to a Norfolk hospital; currently in stable condition.
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Victim 3: Self-transported to a hospital in Virginia Beach; condition remains stable.
The suspected shooter was “neutralized” by responding officers, though police have not yet clarified if the suspect died from a self-inflicted wound or police gunfire. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the Bureau is assisting local authorities in scouring the suspect’s background for a motive.
Campus in Mourning
Following a “clear” notification issued shortly after noon, the university suspended all classes and activities for the remainder of the day. Constant Hall remains a restricted crime scene as federal and local investigators process the building.
The shooting at ODU adds to a somber day of national headlines, occurring nearly simultaneously with a thwarted attack on a Michigan synagogue. University officials have announced that counseling services will be made available to all students and faculty starting immediately at the Student Health Center.