Kenya Mcchell Chapman, 32, of Smithfield, pled guilty on July 17 to dealing in firearms without a license and making false statements during firearm purchases in connection with the March 12 shooting at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk.
According to court documents, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, 36, carried out a terrorist shooting during an Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps class at ODU on March 12. The incident resulted in one death and two injuries. Investigators found that Jalloh had frequently contacted Chapman by phone in the week before the shooting, including a call minutes prior to the attack.
Law enforcement searched Chapman’s residence on March 13 and discovered ammunition matching that used in the recovered firearm from the ODU shooting. The serial number on this weapon was partially altered or obliterated. Authorities determined that Chapman had stolen the firearm from a vehicle in Newport News approximately one year before selling it to Jalloh on the night before the shooting.
Jalloh was previously convicted in federal court for attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and, as a felon, was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Court records also show that Chapman purchased three other firearms in 2021 which were later recovered from crime scenes; two were found at a homicide scene and another during an arrest for public intoxication.
Chapman is scheduled for sentencing on December 18 and faces up to 35 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering relevant guidelines and statutory factors.