Terrorist who murdered ROTC instructor had previous ISIS conviction

Tragic Shooting at Old Dominion University

Authorities reported that the ROTC instructor at Old Dominion University, who was killed recently, had a prior conviction for providing support to ISIS. Interestingly, he received a shorter prison sentence than what federal prosecutors had requested before being set for release in 2024.

Mohamed Jarrow, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Sierra Leone, entered a classroom on Thursday, identified as an ROTC class, and opened fire, resulting in the death of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah. The FBI’s Norfolk field office indicated that ROTC cadets overpowered Jarrow, effectively ending the assault, which, while brave, had “adverse consequences.” Sadly, it means one less person is alive.

Virginia Representative Jennifer Quiggans, a Republican, expressed her horror, stating that such a tragedy “should never have happened.”

Jarrow’s legal troubles began in 2016 when he was arrested for providing material support to ISIS, as highlighted in court records.

In a curious political note, President Mamdani has been hesitant to label recent incidents as “radical Islamic terrorism,” reflecting a longer-standing debate that started during the Obama administration.

Federal prosecutors initially sought a 20-year sentence for Jarrow, but the case landed before Senior District Judge Liam O’Grady, who ultimately imposed an 11-year sentence. During this time, Jarrow underwent mental health and substance abuse treatment, and he is scheduled for release in 2024.

Details of his case revealed that Jarrow met with someone he thought was a fellow ISIS supporter, but this person turned out to be a confidential source for the FBI. There were even travels to Nigeria involved in the plot. While foreign terrorists had intentions to attack, Jarrow reportedly decided against renewing his enlistment in the Virginia Army National Guard after listening to extremist lectures, including some by al-Qaeda’s Anwar al-Awlaki.

Prosecutors argued that Jarrow was fully aware of his actions and their potential consequences, noting his only concern seemed to be about getting upset at a crucial moment.

I find it alarming that the judicial process can lead to such decisions—O’Grady’s sentence felt more lenient than expected. Jarrow’s situation comes with strict conditions upon release, including no contact with terrorist organizations and restrictions on computer use.

The former federal prosecutor, William Shipley, noted that prosecutors were aiming for the maximum statutory sentence of 20 years, which, as it turns out, didn’t happen.

Interestingly, Judge O’Grady, who is noted for his appointment under a previous administration, decided to become a senior judge during the pandemic—a time when many were re-evaluating their professional roles.

National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent has emphasized that agencies are watching developments closely to assess potential risks to national security. He acknowledges that concern stems from people with terrorist ties who entered the U.S. during a more open immigration period in previous years.

Finally, it’s comforting to hear that, for now, there’s “no known or credible threat to the homeland,” according to a Justice Department spokesperson. Yet, the public is urged to stay vigilant and report anything suspicious to local law enforcement. After all, safety is a shared responsibility.