Tragedy at TPC: Gunman Dead and Two Injured After Shooting in Old Dominion University’s Constant Hall

NORFOLK, Va. — A morning of academic routine was shattered by gunfire at Old Dominion University (ODU) on Thursday, leaving a gunman dead and two others hospitalized. The incident, which unfolded inside the university’s main business college building, triggered a massive multi-agency response—including federal agents from the ATF—and forced the immediate closure of the 24,000-student campus.

As the smoke cleared at Constant Hall, a community was left grappling with the reality of campus violence, even as university officials moved quickly to declare the “active threat” neutralized.

The Timeline: A Morning of Chaos

The peace of the Norfolk campus was broken shortly before 10:50 a.m. ET. Students inside Constant Hall, the primary facility for the Strome College of Business, reported hearing multiple discharges in the hallways.

1. 10:50 a.m.: The university issued its first “Active Threat” alert via its emergency siren system and digital platforms. The message was stark: “Follow Run-Hide-Fight protocols. Emergency personnel responding. Avoid area.”
2. 11:15 a.m.: Norfolk Police and ODU Campus Police established a perimeter around 49th Street and Hampton Boulevard.
3. 11:30 a.m.: Federal assistance arrived as Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) joined the investigation to assist with ballistics and scene processing.
4. 11:45 a.m.: The university confirmed that the gunman was dead and two victims had been transported to a nearby trauma center.

Casualties and the Gunman

While the identity of the shooter has not yet been released, university officials confirmed that the suspect died at the scene. It remains unclear whether the gunman died from a self-inflicted wound or was neutralized by responding officers.

The two injured victims were rushed to a local hospital. As of midday Thursday, their conditions remain undisclosed, and it has not been confirmed if they are students, faculty members, or visitors.

“Our hearts are with the victims and their families during this harrowing time,” a university spokesperson said. “The safety of our Monarch community is our singular focus right now.”

Campus in Lockdown: Student Accounts

Inside Constant Hall, students barricaded doors with desks and hid in darkened classrooms.

“We were in the middle of a marketing lecture when we heard the pops,” said Marcus Greene, a junior at ODU. “Our professor immediately turned off the lights and told us to get under the tables. We stayed there for forty-five minutes just looking at each other in silence. You never think it’s going to happen on your floor.”

Outside the building, the scene was equally tense as parents rushed to the edge of the campus perimeter, waiting for news. By noon, the university took the decisive step of canceling all classes and operations for the remainder of the day.

A Federal and Local Response

The rapid arrival of the ATF underscores the severity of the incident. Federal agents are working alongside the Norfolk Police Department to trace the weapon used and determine a potential motive.

Key Agencies on Scene:

• ODU Police: Lead agency for campus security.
• Norfolk Police: Providing tactical support and perimeter control.
• ATF: Investigating the firearm and federal implications.
• Norfolk Fire & Rescue: Managing the triage and transport of the wounded.

What We Know About Constant Hall

Constant Hall is one of the busiest buildings on the ODU campus. As the home of the College of Business, it houses hundreds of students daily in lecture halls and computer labs. Its location on the Norfolk campus makes it a central hub for student life, situated near the university’s main library and student union.

The university has asked all students to avoid the area in and around Constant Hall as forensic teams continue to sweep the building for evidence.

The Road Ahead

The university has promised a formal update at 12:15 p.m. ET, where more details regarding the victims’ conditions and the shooter’s identity may be revealed. Counseling services are being made available immediately at the Student Health Center for any students or staff affected by the morning’s trauma.

For a campus of 24,000, the recovery from this event will likely take weeks. While the physical threat is over, the emotional toll on the “Monarch” family is only beginning to be felt.

Summary of Incident