Following the March 12, 2026 targeted attack at Constant Hall, where Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah lost his life and several students were injured, Cooley LLP conducted an independent post-action review. On July 28, 2026, the University publicly released the firm's report, which concluded that the tragedy was an unpreventable terror attack against the ROTC unit; commended the brave response of Lt. Col. Shah, the cadets, and the Old Dominion University Police Department; and confirmed the University had no prior knowledge of the shooter's criminal history. In response to the report's recommendations, the University is making physical security updates, streamlining campus alert systems, expanding background checks for readmitted students, and enhancing threat assessment staffing and resources.
To learn more, please refer to the presidential messages, media release, and redacted report at the links below.