Old Dominion shooting: Suspected gun seller taken into custody by FBI

A man accused of providing the rifle used in last week’s deadly Old Dominion University shooting has been arrested and is facing federal charges.

Kenya Chapman was taken into custody on Thursday and charged with making false statements while purchasing a firearm and dealing firearms without a license, according to court documents cited by CNN.

Authorities allege Chapman sold the weapon to Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a convicted ISIS supporter who opened fire in a classroom on March 12, killing Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah, an ROTC instructor, and injuring two others. The rifle reportedly had an obliterated serial number.

Chapman allegedly told federal agents that he had stolen the gun from a car in Newport News, Virginia, about a year prior. 

He also stated that he met Jalloh at work, where Jalloh claimed he needed the gun for personal protection while working as a delivery driver. 

Chapman said he had no knowledge that Jalloh would carry out an attack.

Jalloh, 36, previously served seven years in prison for attempting to provide material support to ISIS. 

He was released in December 2024 and had previously attempted to purchase an AK-47, citing plans to conduct an attack similar to the 2009 Fort Hood shooting.

According to CBS News, Jalloh entered Constant Hall, a hub for the business school at ODU, and asked if a class was an ROTC course before opening fire. Federal officials reported he shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the attack.

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism.