Virginia Senator Addresses ODU Shooting and Deadly Iranian School Strike
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) spoke with Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation about the Old Dominion University shooting. The interview examined lapses that may have allowed the suspect to act after prior conviction.
ODU suspect and law enforcement questions
The suspect was identified as 36-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh. He is a former Virginia National Guardsman who pleaded guilty in 2016 to providing support for ISIS.
Jalloh received an 11-year sentence but was released early in December 2024. Authorities say he apologized at the time and expressed disgust with the terror group.
Warner criticized the FBI’s handling of counterterrorism duties under Director Kash Patel. He said many experienced counterterrorism and counterespionage staff were removed.
The senator added that roughly a third of agents were shifted from counterterrorism and sex-crime work. Those agents were reportedly reassigned to immigration enforcement.
Calls for review and clarification
Warner called for an investigation into how Jalloh remained free to carry out the attack. He urged a restored FBI focus on homeland protection and counterterrorism.
He also said he had not been briefed on any new credible threats in recent days.
Deadly Iranian school strike and investigation
Filmogaz.com reported that nearly 200 people died in a strike on an elementary school in Iran. Preliminary assessments suggest outdated intelligence produced incorrect target coordinates.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth named an investigator from outside U.S. Central Command to lead a full probe. Warner said he wants a thorough and impartial review before assigning blame.
Warner warned against jumping to conclusions about which agency erred. He said investigators must determine whether CENTCOM or the Defense Intelligence Agency supplied flawed information.
The senator noted the school was adjacent to an Iranian military base. He added that proximity does not excuse the civilian deaths.
Accountability and transparency
Warner expressed disappointment at initial statements that denied U.S. responsibility or suggested Iranian culpability. He stressed the need for fact-based conclusions and a transparent investigation.
Both the Virginia Senator Addresses ODU Shooting and the Deadly Iranian School Strike topics, he said, illustrate why oversight and clear intelligence processes matter.
