On the morning of March 12, 2026, a routine Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) leadership lab at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Va., turned into a fight-or-flight situation. Inside Constant Hall, eight cadets faced an armed terrorist who was intent on mass murder.
The murderer was a 36-year-old former Virginia Army National Guard member (we choose not to print the names of evildoers here) with a prior federal conviction for attempting to provide material support to the terrorist group ISIS. He entered the classroom around 10:43 a.m. He reportedly demanded to know if the class was for an ROTC course, and when told it was, shouted “Allahu Akbar” before opening fire, murdering ROTC instructor Lt. Col. Brandon Shah and wounding two cadets.
The murderer had been released from prison early after serving roughly seven years of an 11-year sentence for a 2016 terrorism-related plot. The FBI’s Norfolk field office has said it is investigating the incident as an act of domestic terrorism.
In those first chaotic seconds, panic could have taken over. Instead, the cadets—no doubt, still processing the shock of gunfire—charged. Drawing on the training Shah had instilled—close-quarters combat drills, rapid decision-making, and the ethos of never leaving a comrade behind—they closed the distance.
What followed was a desperate, hand-to-hand struggle. One or more cadets, according to various reports, used a knife or knives to subdue the murderer, who was grievously wounded during the struggle.
It should be noted that the cadets’ use of knives in self-defense was due, in part, to the fact that ODU policy forbids the carrying of firearms—a policy obviously ignored by the murderer.
When police arrived, the attacker was dead. Two cadets had been shot, but their quick action prevented what could have been a far higher death toll.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans later praised their “extreme bravery and courage,” noting that their response stopped the attacker before he could target more people.
These are college students—future Army officers—enrolled in a program that balances academics with military preparation. In interviews and official statements, military leaders emphasized that the cadets’ actions exemplified the “warrior ethos” taught from day one: protect the team, neutralize the threat, and act decisively.
Just 10 days later, on March 22, their heroism received formal recognition. In a private ceremony at Fort Knox, Ky., Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer presented eight Meritorious Service Medals to the involved cadets and two Purple Hearts to the wounded cadets. The U.S. Army Cadet Command publicized the awards on its official Facebook and Instagram accounts, stating the medals honored “bravery and sacrifice during the March 12 shooting incident.” The cadet names were withheld to protect their privacy.
Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA), who attended the ceremony, called it a “profound honor” to witness the Army’s swift acknowledgment. The Purple Hearts, traditionally awarded for wounds received in combat, underscored the terrorism classification. Meritorious Service Medals, rarely given so quickly or at such a junior level, recognized initiative that went far beyond the call of duty.
Lt. Col. Shah’s loss was dearly felt. ODU President Brian Hemphill described him as a “heroic protector even in his final moments,” a 20-year veteran who had served multiple combat tours before returning to his alma mater to mentor the next generation. Memorials across campus and at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty), where Shah once served, highlighted his devotion as a family man, leader, and educator.
The cadets’ story resonates far beyond Norfolk. Citizens, especially if they are armed, can and do make a difference in the rare occasions when an individual decides to harm others.
The eight cadets in this case have not asked for the spotlight. In their quiet resolve lies the true measure of heroism—not seeking glory, but simply rising to the occasion to do all they can to stop an evildoer.
