One of the students said she was waiting for an exam when she heard a group of people saying "get out, get out, get out".
19:51, Thu, Mar 12, 2026 Updated: 20:11, Thu, Mar 12, 2026
Police outside Old Dominion University's campus (Image: AP)
One person died and two others were injured in a shooting at a university in Norfolk, Virginia. An unidentified gunman opened fire inside an academic building in Old Dominion University at around 10.43am local time on Thursday. Old Dominion University Police Chief Garrett Shelton said officers found the gunman dead inside the building at around 10.50am.
Two of the victims were taken to hospital and the third took themself, he said. One later died from their injuries, while the other two are in stable condition. Student Jennifer said she was about to sit an exam when she heard people saying, "get out, get out, get out".
Police found the gunman dead. (Image: Norfolk Police Department.)
She told WVEC: "All of a sudden, we heard a commotion. A lot of people rumbling, starting to get up. The guy next to me, we looked at each other, we started running, and that's when we heard, you know, gunshots."
FBI Director Kash Patel said the gunman was subdued by a "group of brave students". He wrote on X: "Earlier today, an armed individual opened fire at Old Dominion University, leaving one person dead and two others wounded.
"The shooter is now deceased thanks to a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him – actions that undoubtedly saved lives along with the quick"
Jennifer also praised the university's handing of the incident as they were able to quickly communicate what was going on to students. She said: "I'm very, very proud of how quick the situation was handled."
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Mr Shelton said the investigation is ongoing and officers are combing the campus for evidence. He did not say how the gunman died.
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He said: "We now have to search every single room in that facility. There were students that we found that were hiding and faculty and staff," he said.
The university cancelled classes for the rest of the day and Friday, though stressed there's no longer a threat. President Brian Hemphill said: "Today was a tragic day for the campus of Old Dominion University."
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English (US) · 