ODU shooter faced similar charges to suspect in Durham federal ISIS case
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- As we're learning more about the gunman in the deadly Old Dominion University shooting, it's drawing parallels with another case that happened here in the Triangle.
It was a tragic scene in Virginia, as a convicted ISIS supporter opened fire in a ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University, killing one person and injuring two others before being subdued and killed.
The suspect, Mohamed Jalloh, had previously been convicted of attempting to aid ISIS before being released in 2024.
It's homegrown terrorism we've also seen in North Carolina. Just last year, charges were announced against Alexander Justin White, a 29-year-old from Durham, who was apparently radicalized online, but was caught by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Former U.S. Attorney Michael Easley Jr. prosecuted the case and explained how White was caught.
"In that case, we used confidential informants as well as undercover operations to intervene with that individual and build the evidence. We need to show that they intended to provide material support for a terrorist group. In that case, it was ISIS. And we intercepted that defendant as he was boarding a plane to fly out of RDU, and in managed to arrest him and charge him and arraign him for these offenses related to terrorism," Easley said.
Easley said Thursday's tragedy in Virginia only emphasizes the need for the work of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force and others to try to get ahead of potential threats before they turn violent.
"With the activity we see in Iran in heightened conflict in the Middle East, as well as the war in Gaza, we see the potential for foreign groups to try to motivate our citizens towards violence again. And it is incredibly important that we have all of our domestic law enforcement agencies on alert right now, especially at a time like this, where the United States and its allies are coming into focus for our adversaries around the world," he said.
The penalty for the crime of attempting to materially aid a terrorist group is up to 20 years in prison. The Old Dominion suspect was sentenced to 11 years and was then released early.
The Durham suspect who pleaded guilty to the same crime is also facing up to 20 years. His sentencing has been continued several times, and his next hearing is set for later this month.
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