A morning on campus turned chaotic at Old Dominion University after gunfire erupted inside an academic building, leaving two people critically injured and the suspected shooter dead.
The shooting unfolded late This morning at Constant Hall, the building that houses the university’s College of Business. Authorities said the gunman opened fire shortly before eleven a.m., prompting emergency alerts and a rapid response from campus and city law enforcement.
Within minutes, the university warned students and staff of an active threat. People were urged to follow run hide fight safety guidance while police moved toward the scene.
Old Dominion campus shaken by sudden violence
The situation escalated quickly across the Norfolk campus. Sirens echoed through nearby streets as university police, Norfolk officers and emergency crews converged on Constant Hall.
Officials later said the gunman had been neutralized. An all clear notice was issued shortly after noon, confirming there was no longer an active threat to students or staff.
Despite the quick response, the violence left two people seriously wounded. Both victims were transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where they were listed in critical condition.
Authorities have not yet identified the victims or explained the events that led up to the shooting. Officials also have not said how the suspected gunman died.
For many students, the abrupt alerts and rush of emergency vehicles shattered the routine rhythm of midterm season.
Emergency response unfolds across Old Dominion
Law enforcement agencies at multiple levels responded to the scene. University police coordinated with Norfolk Police while federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives arrived to assist with the investigation.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said state resources were being mobilized to support local authorities and the university community.
Officials credited the swift coordination between campus police and city responders for containing the threat quickly. The lockdown alerts that spread through phones and computers across campus helped push students and faculty to shelter or leave the area.
By early afternoon, investigators had secured Constant Hall while emergency crews continued working nearby.
The university urged people to avoid the building as authorities processed the scene.
Classes canceled as Old Dominion assesses impact
Old Dominion University canceled classes and shut down operations on its main campus for the remainder of Thursday.
The decision came as investigators continued examining the building and as administrators focused on student safety and support services.
University leaders directed students and staff away from the affected area while counseling resources were made available. A family information center and additional support spaces were also opened on campus.
The university serves roughly 24000 students and sits in Norfolk near the Elizabeth River. Constant Hall is one of its busiest academic buildings, frequently filled with business students attending lectures, exams and group sessions.
Nearby schools in Norfolk also adjusted their safety procedures during the incident. Several elementary schools were placed under secure hold protocols while officials monitored the situation.
Students visiting the university for a campus tour were instructed to shelter in place during the emergency but were later confirmed safe.
Old Dominion investigation continues
Authorities have not released details about the suspected shooter or any possible motive.
Investigators are expected to review security footage, witness accounts and physical evidence from the building as they piece together the timeline of events.
University officials said further updates would be shared as the investigation moves forward.
For now, the campus remains unsettled by a morning that shifted from routine lectures to a sudden emergency. The focus has turned toward recovery for the injured and answers for a community trying to understand how violence reached the center of its academic life.
