NORFOLK, Va. \u2014 Faculty, staff, and students at Old Dominion University were alerted to an \u201cactive threat\u201d on Thursday morning. <\/p>\n
The active threat was a shooting that left at least two injured and the alleged gunman dead, The Associated Press<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n ODU president\u2019s statement<\/p>\n Update 12:51 p.m. ET, March 12: Old Dominion University President Brian Hemphill, Ph.D., released a statement about the incident, which read: <\/p>\n \u201cEarlier today, March 12, 2026, Old Dominion University faced a tragedy on our main campus. I am grateful for the swift response of our police officers, emergency management personnel, and our partners at the City of Norfolk who promptly assisted the injured.\u201d<\/p>\n He offered counseling services and encouraged students, faculty, and staff to use them. <\/p>\n Hemphill finished the message with:<\/p>\n \u201cThe safety of our campus community is my top priority. We are deeply committed to safeguarding all Monarchs and ensuring a secure learning, living, and working environment at all times. We take this responsibility very seriously and remain vigilant in our efforts to maintain a safe campus. I extend my thoughts and prayers to those impacted by the incident, as well as the entire campus and the broader community. \u201d<\/p>\n Read his entire statement here<\/a>.<\/p>\n FBI to assist<\/p>\n Update 12:26 p.m. ET, March 12: The FBI said on X.com that it will be assisting with law enforcement.<\/p>\n ODU students react<\/p>\n Update 12:16 p.m. ET, March 12: Sophomore Logan Hayes was taking a test in the building where the shooting happened. He told WAVY<\/a> that a fire alarm went off and he ran from the classroom. <\/p>\n \u201cI heard about a multitude of gunshots go off and people just screaming,\u201d Hayes said.<\/p>\n Zachary Mulder told WTKR<\/a>, \u201cI need(ed) to leave. My heart dropped. I didn\u2019t really know what was going on I just know I had to leave immediately and it was pretty scary at that point because I really didn\u2019t know what was going on or how close the threat was. It was terrifying, I just knew I had to leave from the direction of where everybody was running from.\u201d<\/p>\n Three elementary schools near the campus were placed in into a secure hold because of the shooting, WVEC<\/a> reported. <\/p>\n \u201cAll students and staff are secure, and we are following established safety protocols. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available,\u201d a Norfolk Public Schools spokesperson said.<\/p>\n What is Constant Hall?<\/p>\n Update 12:06 p.m. ET, March 12: The two people who were injured were taken to an area hospital. WTKR<\/a> reported that they were in critical condition. Other media outlets, including CNN<\/a>, said that their conditions are unknown.<\/p>\n It is not known how the alleged gunman died, the AP<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n Constant Hall is the hub for the College of Business and has a trading room, two full-sized lecture halls and 19 classrooms, according to the university\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n ATF on scene<\/p>\n Update 11:54 a.m. ET, March 12: CNN<\/a> reported that special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to the scene.<\/p>\n \u2018The gunman is now deceased.\u2019<\/p>\n Update 11:48 a.m. ET, March 12: The school posted to its website<\/a>, \u201cShortly before 10:49 a.m., a gunman in Constant Hall opened fire. Two people were injured. Old Dominion University Police, Norfolk Police and emergency personnel responded immediately. The gunman is now deceased. The injured were transported to a local hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n Original report: The message sent by the university read, \u201cO.D.U. Urgent Alert: Active threat reported at Constant Hall. Follow Run-Hide-Fight protocols. Emergency personnel responding. Avoid area,\u201d WAVY <\/a>reported.<\/p>\n