In the aftermath of a tragic shooting at Old Dominion University, the narrative from certain officials is shifting blame rather than addressing the root issues. Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi, supported by significant funding from George Soros, pointed fingers at Republicans and what he termed the “cult of gun absolutism.” His comments come mere hours after the shooting, which left one person dead and two wounded.
Fatehi’s remarks highlight a growing trend among some political figures: the immediate pivot to gun control in the wake of violent incidents. “This is a country where people care more about guns than children, religious worshippers, and college students,” he declared, reflecting a sentiment that gun ownership priorities overshadow public safety. His call for “sensible gun control measures” and a condemnation of lawmakers for their supposed lack of courage implies that legislation alone could have prevented this tragedy.
Interestingly, the shooter, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, had a criminal history linked to terrorism. Jalloh, a naturalized citizen originally from Sierra Leone, was previously convicted for attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Released early from prison, Jalloh’s actions raise questions about the efficacy of current policies governing violent offenders, especially those with ties to extremist groups. Yet, Fatehi’s emphasis remained on gun policy rather than addressing the implications of releasing such individuals back into society.
Fatehi’s election in 2021 is notable, particularly because he has received over $667,000 from Soros-funded PACs, including the Justice and Public Safety PAC and the Democracy PAC. His funding sources highlight the complicated interplay between financial backing and political motivations, suggesting that there may be more at stake than simply public safety concerns.
In addition, the prosecutor’s priorities, as listed on his website, focus on decriminalizing drug possession and certain firearm offenses. Fatehi claims these issues are indicators of future violence, yet there is little evidence to directly connect his agenda to a reduction in crime or violence.
FBI Director Kash Patel has stated that the recent incident will be investigated as an act of terrorism, a classification that implies a severity and motivation that perhaps transcends typical gun violence narratives. This assessment complicates Fatehi’s commentary, pointing to a broader issue of national security rather than just a local gun control debate.
Ultimately, Fatehi’s response to the shooting reflects a common narrative seen in political circles: rather than a thorough examination of all possible causes, including the motivations behind the shooter or the implications of his early release from prison, there is a rush to frame the issue in terms of firearms policy. This approach sidelines critical discussions about how to effectively manage public safety concerns while dealing with the complexities of violent crime and radicalization in America today.
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