NORFOLK, VA (Rocktown Now) — The instructor killed in Thursday’s deadly shooting at Old Dominion University has been identified as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a retired Army officer and ROTC instructor, according to a statement shared by Voorhees University.

Police received reports of an active shooter on ODU’s campus around 10:43 a.m. Thursday. According to CBS News, the suspected gunman, identified as Jalloh, was walking through Constant Hall and asked whether he had arrived at an ROTC class, a law enforcement source said. When someone confirmed it was the class, the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally wounding the instructor.

Shah was a native of Staunton, Virginia. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2003 as an aviation operations specialist and enrolled at Old Dominion University in 2005, according to his profile on the university’s website.

He graduated in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in military science, receiving his Army commission the same year.

During his military career, Shah earned his Army Aviation Senior Aviator wings and logged more than 1,200 flight hours across three different aircraft. He also completed more than 600 combat flight hours.

In addition to his undergraduate degree, Shah earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Georgia and a Master of Science in engineering management from the University of Kansas.

His individual military honors included the Senior Army Aviator Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge, according to ODU’s website.

ODU’s alumni profile describes Shah as an advocate for minority and veteran business education and involvement. The profile also notes that he received awards recognizing both combat heroism and efforts related to diversity and inclusion.

“Brandon is an advocate for minority and veteran business education and involvement and holds a variety of accolades including combat heroism awards and diversity and inclusion honors,” the profile states. “Brandon also volunteers his time to support the less fortunate.”

Shah returned to Old Dominion University in the summer of 2022 as an instructor leading the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion, according to a previous university article.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger called Shah a devoted instructor who dedicated his life to service and mentorship.

“A devoted ROTC instructor, Lt. Col. Shah didn’t just lead a life of service to our country, he taught and led others to follow that path,” Spanberger said in a statement. “I am grateful for his example, deeply saddened by his death, and praying for his family. Amid this tragedy, I thank the brave students, first responders, and law enforcement officers who responded quickly to today’s horrific attack.”