WAVY 10 News covers ODU campus shooting as gunman dead, 2 critically injured

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• Terror on Campus as Active Shooter Strikes First Day of Spring Break Week
• Student Eyewitness Accounts Reveal Chaos and Fear
• ODU Shooting Details and Emergency Response Timeline
• Federal Response and Community Support Systems Activated
• Is This the Second Violent Campus Incident in Just Over a Year for ODU?
  • Sources

WAVY 10 News covers a devastating tragedy at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. A gunman opened fire in Constant Hall around 10:50 a.m. on March 12, 2026, leaving two people critically injured. The suspect is now dead, and campus is in mourning as the community processes another violent incident.

Terror on Campus as Active Shooter Strikes First Day of Spring Break Week

The ODU community experienced chaos Thursday morning when a gunman opened fire inside Constant Hall, an academic building. Two victims were rushed to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital around 11:15 a.m. in critical condition. The U.S. Army Cadet Command confirmed both injured were members of the university’s ROTC program. An alert was sent immediately, and police responded promptly to neutralize the threat.

ODU President Brian Hemphill, Ph.D. called the incident a tragedy. He released a statement expressing gratitude for the swift response of police officers and emergency personnel. The university provided counseling support and opened a Family Information Center in Chartway Arena’s Big Blue Room for students and staff seeking assistance.

Student Eyewitness Accounts Reveal Chaos and Fear

ODU sophomore Logan Hayes was taking a test inside Constant Hall when the fire alarm went off. He immediately ran outside and witnessed the horror unfolding. He told WAVY 10 News he heard “a multitude of gunshots go off and people just screaming.” Hayes said, “I heard four gunshots, I’m positive.” Despite the trauma, he praised the immediate police response that ensured student safety.

Other students shared equally harrowing experiences. Juliet Grossman, a student in the Webb Center next door, heard the initial shot and then screaming. She hid in the Diehn School of Music building for about 30 minutes, texting loved ones the entire time. Her message through all the chaos: “I just hope everybody will be okay.”

ODU Shooting Details and Emergency Response Timeline

Event	Time
Active shooter incident begins	10:50 a.m.
Victims transported to hospital	11:15 a.m.
All clear notification issued	12:15 p.m.
Classes canceled campus-wide	Remainder of March 12

The U.S. Army Cadet Command released an official statement: “We are deeply saddened from the active shooter incident that occurred at Old Dominion University on March 12, 2026. We can confirm that two members of the university ROTC program were shot and were taken to a local hospital to treat their injuries.” All classes and operations on the main campus were suspended immediately for the remainder of the day.

“This is an all clear notification. The emergency at Constant Hall has ended. There is no longer an active threat to the campus community. Avoid the area in and around Constant Hall where emergency officials continue to work.”

— ODU Emergency Alert System, March 12, 2026

Federal Response and Community Support Systems Activated

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed his agency is assisting local law enforcement with the investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation posted on X that FBI personnel are providing full assistance and working with local authorities. Sentara Norfolk General Hospital confirmed the two victims remained in critical condition as of Thursday afternoon.

The university mobilized comprehensive support for traumatized students and staff. Talk Campus, a 24/7 peer support community, and other online counseling services were made available at www.odu.edu/counseling-services. Students were invited to Broderick Dining Commons for free meals and counseling support. For immediate assistance, the university provided a hotline at (757) 683-4401.

Is This the Second Violent Campus Incident in Just Over a Year for ODU?

ODU junior Christian Scruggs expressed frustration that the university is facing another deadly shooting. In February 2025, a double homicide occurred in a parking lot near the dining hall, leaving the community reeling. Scruggs told WAVY he hopes ODU handles this tragedy better this time, particularly regarding communication about the injured victims and their families. The Norfolk Police Department and university are working together for answers.

Norfolk Public Schools confirmed that students from nearly every Norfolk high school were on campus for SOAR tours during the incident. All students were accounted for and safe, sheltered in place following established protocols. Several elementary schools in the area, including Larchmont, James Monroe, and W.H. Taylor, were placed on secure hold out of abundance of caution.

Sources

• WAVY 10 News – Breaking news coverage of ODU campus shooting with eyewitness accounts
• U.S. Army Cadet Command – Official statement confirming ROTC casualties
• NBC News – National coverage of the incident and gunman fatality