Dear Fellow Monarchs:
Over the past several months, I have continued to be truly inspired and deeply moved by the strength of the Monarch Nation in navigating the painful aftermath of the March 12, 2026 tragedy. Today, we take another necessary step forward together in our commitment to healing and desire for closure by sharing the comprehensive, independent post-action report prepared by the law firm Cooley LLP.
The Cooley report formally details the extraordinary heroism of Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah and our ROTC cadets, who confronted and neutralized the attacker in Constant Hall, thereby preventing a far greater tragedy. We will forever be indebted to these brave Monarchs, who are accomplished scholars, servant leaders, and true warriors, for their action and courage on that fateful day. We are releasing the full report with only those redactions essential to protect student privacy as part of our commitment to transparency. Doing so is a fitting way to honor the memory of Lt. Col. Shah, who tragically lost his life, and our students, who were injured and who acted heroically, skillfully, and swiftly to prevent even greater harm. For additional information regarding the public release of the independent report, please visit the Cooley Report webpage.
The Cooley report concludes that the March 12, 2026 attack was a “targeted terror attack on ROTC students and their leader” that would have been “difficult if not impossible to prevent.” The report also confirms that the University had no knowledge of the student’s past conviction and was not informed by law enforcement or the student’s probation officer. Additionally, the findings detail how the University has focused on campus security by hiring experienced leadership for the Old Dominion University Police Department (ODUPD), conducting extensive crisis response and threat prevention training for the campus community, maintaining an effective threat assessment unit, and operating a comprehensive alert system for the campus community, among other measures.
On March 12, 2026, ODUPD responded to the shooting within minutes, rendered aid to the victims, secured Constant Hall, and worked effectively with other responding law enforcement agencies. I am proud that our fellow Monarchs came together after this tragedy and utilized the many resources that the University made available to aid the campus community throughout the healing journey, as well as the investigative process.
The campus community has my complete assurance that we will act quickly to fully implement Cooley’s recommendations as we actively work to make our campus as safe and secure as possible. To enhance our physical security, we are upgrading cameras and locks, installing emergency Knox boxes for master keys in all buildings, and restricting access to specific information about classroom locations to the course level. We are upgrading our 911 dispatch system through the renovation of the ODU Inn as it becomes the University’s Public Safety Building, conducting joint training with regional law enforcement, and expanding the availability of AED and Stop the Bleed kits. We are streamlining our emergency alert system to speed up messaging and shifting employees to an opt-out default for alerts. We have expanded our post-admission criminal background questionnaire to include readmitted students, while also expanding staffing and strengthening resources to the Office of Threat Assessment.
While we continue to closely examine the findings and recommendations to strengthen safety measures, I know the emotional weight of this tragedy remains heavy for many. Please remember that you do not have to carry this alone, and our dedicated mental health resources remain available. Students can contact the Office of Counseling Services at 757-683-4401 (press one to schedule an appointment or press two to speak with a counselor 24/7) or the Dean of Students at oducares@odu.edu. Faculty and staff can contact the Anthem Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 1-800-865-1044 (available 24/7) for confidential counseling and resources.
On behalf of the University, I want to thank Cooley LLP for the attention to detail maintained throughout their process, the candor in their findings, and the thoroughness of their report. But, most of all, I want to thank each of you for your resilience and looking out for one another. We will move forward together, bound by an unwavering commitment to keeping our Monarch home safe, strong, and supportive.
Forever Monarch Strong,
Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.
President