Army officer killed in Old Dominion University shooting had served at Fort Bragg
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The U.S. Army Cadet Command confirmed that Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, who was killed Thursday during a shooting at Old Dominion University, served more than 20 years in the military, including several years stationed at Fort Bragg.
Shah's cousin, Twana Atkinson, who lives in North Carolina, said the family was heartbroken by his death but proud of the life he lived in service to the country.
"It was something that was so shocking. I couldn't believe it," Atkinson said.
Atkinson said Shah safely returned home from multiple military deployments during his career. She never imagined he would lose his life simply going to work at Old Dominion University.
"He went and sacrificed his life for this country, and then for him to come back here and lose his life in a senseless act of violence is just a tragedy," she said.
ALSO SEE | Justice Department charges man accused of selling gun to Old Dominion University shooter
Police said a gunman opened fire inside an ROTC classroom on Thursday on the ODU campus in Norfolk, Virginia. The shooting killed the 42-year-old Shah, who served as a professor of military science, and injured two others.
The FBI identified the shooter as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Army National Guard member who pleaded guilty in 2016 to attempting to aid the Islamic State terrorist group ISIS. Investigators say the attack is being treated as an act of terrorism.
FBI officials are also praising ROTC students for their bravery, saying their actions helped prevent further harm when they stopped and killed the gunman.
ALSO SEE | ODU shooter faced similar charges to suspect in Durham federal ISIS case
Shah was a Virginia native and a proud graduate of Old Dominion. Atkinson said returning to his alma mater to teach cadets was a dream come true.
"That was his passion, to be able to go back and teach where he graduated from, to bring those cadets up," she said.
I'm proud of my cousin. Proud of the legacy he leaves behind. He deserved to live a long life. It's just unfortunate.- Twana Atkinson, cousin of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah
Atkinson, a veteran herself, said military service runs deep in their family.
"Every time there's a family reunion, that's the one thing our family is most proud of being in uniform and defending our country," she said.
According to the Army, Shah enlisted in 2003 and spent more than five years stationed at Fort Bragg with the 82nd Airborne Division. Early in his career, he served back-to-back assignments there as a platoon leader. The first time for two years and then again for nearly three and a half years.
Shah leaves behind a wife and a son.
"I'm proud of my cousin. Proud of the legacy he leaves behind. He deserved to live a long life. It's just unfortunate," Atkinson said.
Funeral arrangements for Shah have not yet been announced.
