Virginia Man Charged in Connection with Campus Shooting
The Justice Department has charged a man from Virginia with selling stolen firearms to the shooter involved in a recent incident at Old Dominion University. This follows previous investigations into illegal gun purchases that weren’t prosecuted during the Biden administration.
Mohammed Jallow, 36, allegedly entered a classroom on campus, inquired whether it was an ROTC class, and then opened fire, resulting in the death of an instructor and injuries to two students. Kenya Chapman, 32, has been charged with multiple counts of selling firearms without a license and for making false statements while purchasing guns linked to the March 12 shooting, as per a press release from the Department of Justice.
Chapman had been previously caught engaging in “straw” purchases of firearms. In 2021, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, in collaboration with the Newport News Police Department, investigated Chapman after it was found that three guns he bought were recovered from crime scenes—two connected to murders and one related to a public drinking incident. Despite this, he only received a warning after admitting to the purchases.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi expressed discontent with how the case was previously managed. She stated, “The Biden Justice Department declined to prosecute this man and released him with a warning. Left-wing anti-crime policies cost lives. But the Department of Justice will not tolerate crime. We will punish crime.”
Documents from the court indicate that Jallow was legally prohibited from possessing guns because of an earlier felony conviction related to supporting the Islamic State. Investigators mentioned that Chapman confessed during interviews that he had stolen a gun from a vehicle in Newport News about a year before the attack and later sold it to Jallow.
Links between Chapman and Jallow were established through phone records exchanged in the days leading up to the crime. Chapman claimed he had met Jallow through work, who mentioned needing a weapon for protection as a delivery driver. While Chapman acknowledged knowing that Jallow had been incarcerated, he denied any knowledge of his felony conviction.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that those involved in illegal firearms trafficking would face federal charges. He stated, “If you steal a firearm, lie on federal documents, or put a weapon into the hands of a convicted terrorist, this FBI will find you.” He also expressed gratitude to the Norfolk field office and other partners working continuously to ensure justice for the victims.
Chapman claimed he was unaware of any plans Jallow had for a mass shooting. Reports indicated that the firearm used in the attack had an erased serial number, complicating tracing efforts. Investigators aim to recover this number to ascertain the gun’s origin.
Jallow pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to assist ISIS and was sentenced to 11 years. Federal records clarify that he was released on supervised conditions in December 2024. Sources have indicated that his early release followed a drug treatment program, though the terms of this release remain ambiguous, especially since those convicted of terrorism-related offenses typically do not receive such allowances.
A ROTC cadet displayed bravery by fatally stabbing Jallow during the shooting, thus halting the attack and preventing more injuries. This swift action by cadets ensured that the situation did not escalate further.
As of now, the Justice Department has not officially commented on the developments.
