Terror Strikes America — ROTC Cadets Step In & Stop It Cold

Summary

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Podcast Summary — The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Terror Strikes America — ROTC Cadets Step In & Stop It Cold
Host: Ben Ferguson, Premiere Networks
Date: March 13, 2026
Duration: ~16 minutes (main content)

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Overview

This episode of The 47 Morning Update centers on a harrowing day in American history marked by two attempted terror attacks: one at Old Dominion University in Virginia, the other at Temple Israel in Michigan. Host Ben Ferguson provides a detailed, urgent update on these events, highlighting the extraordinary courage of ROTC cadets and synagogue security staff who intervened, saving countless lives. The episode includes developments from the FBI’s ongoing investigations, statements from President Donald Trump and his administration, and reflections on the broader threat landscape.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Old Dominion University Terror Attack

[03:59–08:32]

• Attack Recap:

  • A former Virginia National Guard member and convicted ISIS supporter, Muhammad, entered Old Dominion University’s ROTC classroom seeking “the ROTC class” before shouting "Allahu Akbar" and opening fire.
  • Victims included Lt. Col. Brandon Shaw (killed) and two wounded ROTC cadets.

• Heroic Response:

  • Several ROTC cadets ran towards the gunfire, tackled, and subdued the attacker—ending the threat with their bare hands.

  • The attacker was not shot; his life was ended by the cadets’ actions.

    "These were not active duty soldiers. They were students, young men and women sitting in a classroom who in a split second made the decision to risk their own lives to save the lives of others."
    —Ben Ferguson [08:32]

• Investigation:

  • The FBI is treating the incident as an ISIS-related terrorism case.

    "There were students that were in that room that subdued him and rendered him no longer alive. I don't know else to say it, but they basically were able to terminate the threat."
    —FBI Official [08:11]

  • Ongoing analysis of the shooter’s communications and affiliations to determine if he acted alone.

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2. Synagogue Attack at Temple Israel, Michigan

[08:33–11:24]

• Attack Recap:
  • In West Bloomfield, MI, an assailant drove a car into Temple Israel and began shooting while over 140 preschool children were present.
  • If the attacker had gained further access, authorities warn "the outcome could have been catastrophic."
• Defensive Actions:
  • Synagogue security personnel confronted and killed the attacker before he could reach the children.
  • One guard was injured by the vehicle, surviving, and over 30 first responders were treated for smoke inhalation due to a fire set at the scene.
• Impact:
  • Every child was successfully evacuated thanks to the quick response.

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3. Patterns, Training & FBI Response

[11:24–13:22]

• Rise in Extremism:
  • Discussion on the growing risk from "sleeper cells"—individuals radicalized online who can act alone with little warning.
  • Both attacks are being investigated as terrorism cases.
  • Increased FBI and law enforcement vigilance at religious sites and universities nationwide.
• Preparedness:

  • Notably, Temple Israel had an FBI-led active shooter training drill only six weeks prior, which almost certainly contributed to the effective response.

    "We have just learned that the FBI Detroit held an active shooter training drill situation six weeks ago at this temple."
    —FBI Official [12:58]

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4. National & Presidential Response

[13:22–15:30]

• Trump Administration Stance:

  • President Trump’s statement condemned the attacks, praised the heroic ROTC cadets, and offered condolences to Lt. Col. Shaw's family.

    "President Donald Trump called the ROTC cadets true American heroes who acted with extraordinary bravery. The administration also expressed condolences to the family of Lt. Col. Shaw, honoring his decades of military service."
    —Ben Ferguson [13:22]

  • The White House and Attorney General vowed to pursue anyone connected to these attacks to the full extent of federal law.

• Security Escalation:
  • State and federal authorities are enhancing security at high-risk venues nationwide.
  • The administration’s message: America "will not be intimidated by terrorists or terrorism" and will "hunt them down and take them out wherever they are."

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5. Reflections on Heroism & American Resilience

[15:30–16:04]

• Ben Ferguson highlights, in emphatic terms, that the real story is not just the threat of terrorism, but the bravery and selflessness of ordinary Americans—ROTC cadets, synagogue security, first responders.
  • He calls for national recognition for these heroes, suggesting ceremonies at the White House.
• Closing message underscores the enduring American spirit: “Terrorists may hit, but we always remember who is the real threat and who we're trying to help.”

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Heroism at Old Dominion:

  "...ROTC cadets who stopped a terrorist with their bare hands, taking him out, literally killing him. They are heroes that should be honored, in my opinion, at the White House."
  —Ben Ferguson [15:30]

• Reflection on Security Drills:

  "They had just done, as they described it, dry runs on this exact location. Training for this being a real possibility."
  —Ben Ferguson [12:58]

• Message from the Administration:

  "America will not be intimidated by terrorists or terrorism. What we will do is hunt them down and take them out wherever they are in the world."
  —Ben Ferguson [16:00]

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Important Timestamps

• [03:59] — Start of main story coverage (attacks)
• [05:54] — Introduction to Virginia attack (Old Dominion University)
• [08:11] — FBI account of ROTC cadet heroism
• [08:33] — Introduction to Michigan synagogue attack
• [11:24] — FBI response and investigation updates
• [12:58] — Revelation of recent active shooter training at Temple Israel
• [13:22] — Trump administration and national response
• [15:30] — Ferguson's call for national recognition of the heroes

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Tone & Style

Ben Ferguson delivers this episode with a sense of urgency, patriotism, and clear admiration for the “ordinary Americans” who prevented even greater tragedy. His language is direct, emotionally charged, and often rallies listeners to uphold American values of courage and resilience.

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Takeaway

This episode defines a day of terror turned into a story of bravery and sacrifice. Ferguson calls on the nation not just to mourn but to recognize its heroes—ROTC cadets, synagogue security, and first responders—framing their actions as exemplars of American resolve in the face of evil. The government’s clear and forceful response echoes the theme: the US will confront and defeat terror wherever it arises, with a vigilant eye toward the future.

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Transcript

[Ben Ferguson]

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[FBI or Law Enforcement Official]

We have just learned that the FBI Detroit held an active shooter training drill situation six weeks ago. Okay, six weeks ago. They held an active shooter training session drill six weeks ago at this temple.

[Podcast Host or Announcer]

You're listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson.

[Ben Ferguson]

Good Friday morning. It's nice to have you with us on the 47 Morning Update. And we've got one big story for you. Terror on American soil, a synagogue targeted, and an ISIS supporter opening fire at a US University. The good news is brave men and women stopped that killer before more lives were lost. We have the heroes, the FBI investigation, the Trump administration's response. Having just come back from Israel, I want to paint you a picture. It's midnight, sirens are blaring and you have only seconds to grab your child and run. Now imagine you're elderly. Your legs don't work like they used to. Getting downstairs feels impossible. And after all of that, you end up in a bomb shelter for hours, even days, because you can't make the trek again. This is what's happening across Israel as Operation Epic Fury continues. Children are being traumatized, families are just exhausted and homes have been destroyed. And that's why the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews is there on the ground, bringing food, emergency equipment, care for those children and help for the elderly. And supplying the bomb shelters and medical centers for critically needed essentials. If you've ever wondered what it looks like to stand for Israel and stand for good against evil, and this is it. And that's why I'm asking you to now please act. Give $45 right now to rush life saving essentials to the vulnerables under fire. You can also call 888-488-ICFCJ. That's 888-488-IFCJ. Join me and give and make a real difference [e-mail] that's ifcj.org it's the 47 Morning Update. And

[Podcast Host or Announcer]

story number one.

[Ben Ferguson]

Let's start today with something that should shake every American. But it should also remind us of something else. The courage of ordinary Americans who refuse to let evil win. In just the last several days, the United States has seen multiple terrorist attacks or acts of terror targeting Americans in classrooms, in houses of worship and public spaces. But in the middle of that evil, there have been heroes that have emerged. And their actions have likely saved the lives of dozens and dozens of other Americans that would have been killed otherwise. Let's start with the Virginia terror attack, the most shocking attack happening at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Authorities say the suspect was Muhammad, a former member of the Virginia National Guard. And the most important part of the story, a convicted supporter of ISIS who had previously served time in federal prison for trying to assist the terrorist organization. On the morning of March 12, Muhammad walked into a classroom building on campus and began asking a chilling question. Is this the ROTC class? Moments later, he opened fire. Witnesses say the gunman shouted Allah Akbar as he began shooting. One person was killed, a respected retired military officer and ROTC leader, Lt. Col. Brandon Shaw. Two ROTC cadets were also shot and wounded as well. For a moment, it looked like the beginning of a mass casualty terrorist attack on a college campus. But that's when something incredible happened. The hero who stopped him stepped up. Several ROTC cadets, young Americans training to serve their country, they refused to run. Instead, they ran towards the gunfire. The students tackled and subdued the attacker, killing him before he could continue the shooting. Law enforcement officials say their actions prevented far greater carnage. This is how the FBI described it when they were asked about this shooting earlier.

[FBI or Law Enforcement Official]

The There were students that were in that room that subdued him and rendered him no longer alive. I don't know else to say it, but they basically were able to terminate the threat.

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But he was not shot.

[FBI or Law Enforcement Official]

He was not shot, correct. We have information that he shot three people.

[Ben Ferguson]

I want you to think about that for just a moment. These were not active duty soldiers. They were students, young men and women sitting in a classroom who in a split second made the decision to risk their Own lives to save the lives of others. And not only did they do it, they succeeded. The FBI, confirming the attack is being investigated as an act of terrorism tied to ISIS support as well. But the story doesn't end there, because on the very same day, another attack unfolded hundreds of miles away. This time at a Michigan synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, an attacker targeted Temple Israel, one of the largest synagogues in the entire United States of America. The suspect drove a vehicle directly into the building before opening fire. Inside the synagogue complex at the time were more than a 140 children attending the facility's preschool program. Let that sink in. This individual wanted to kill children, more than 100 of them. Now, if the attacker had gotten inside that building fully armed, the outcome could have been catastrophic. But again, heroes, they stepped in. Security personnel at the synagogue confronted the attacker, immediately neutralized the threat. The suspect was killed before he could reach the children. Officials later confirmed that the security guard struck by the vehicle was injured but survived. Meanwhile, firefighters and law enforcement rushed to contain a fire that broke out at the scene as well. Over 30 first responders were treated for smoke inhalation during that response. But the most important detail, again, every single child was safely evacuated because of the heroes. The pattern authorities are watching is very real. Now there's a bigger concern as investigators say these attacks come amid rising tensions globally and an increase in extremist threats inside the United States, also known as sleeper cells. Unlike organized terror cells, these individuals can radicalize also online and act alone with little warning. And that appears to be exactly what is happening here. Now, the FBI's response has been very clear. The FBI quickly launched terrorism investigations into these attacks. In the Virginia case, FBI officials confirmed they are treating the university shooting as a terrorism case that is linked to prior extremist activity by that suspect. Here is more of what the FBI had to say about the Old Dominion shooting.

[FBI or Law Enforcement Official]

FBI is now the lead investigative agency investigating this as an act of terrorism. The shooter has been identified as Mohammed Baylor Jalo. In 2016, Jalo was arrested and pled guilty for attempting to provide material support to isil, now known as isis.

[Ben Ferguson]

This was an individual that had already been involved in terrorist activities and had gone to prison for it. The FBI director, Cash Patel, saying it clearly FBI personnel are providing assistance and working with local authorities responding to the shooting at Old Dominion University. He said, we will obviously keep you updated on exactly what is going to happen. Moving forward. Now, agents, we also now have been told are reviewing the gunman's community communications, digital devices and contacts, determined whether he acted alone or had outside influence. Meanwhile, the FBI is also investigating the synagogue attack and coordinating with local law enforcement across the country to increase security around religious institutions as well as public gatherings. We actually know more now about that synagogue. In fact, they had just done, as they described it, dry runs on this exact location. Training for this being a real possibility. I want you to hear what they had to say about that active shooting training that took place recently at Temple Israel. Take a listen.

[FBI or Law Enforcement Official]

Is that we have just learned that the FBI Detroit held an active shooter training drill situation, I should say. Yeah, okay. A drill. A training drill just six months ago at this temple. Oh, six weeks ago. Okay, six weeks ago. They held an active shooter training session or drill six weeks ago at this temple.

[Ben Ferguson]

Federal authorities are also warning now local police nationwide to remain vigilant amid global tensions that could inspire additional attacks. And then we come to Donald Trump and the White House's response to all of this. The White House issued a statement condemning the attacks and praising the Americans who stopped them. President Donald Trump called the ROTC cadets true American heroes who acted with extraordinary bravery. The administration also expressed condolences to the family of Lt. Col. Shah, honoring his decades of military service. Officials emphasize that the United States will continue to pursue terrorists both overseas and domestically. The message from the administration is clear. America will not be intimidated by terrorists or terrorism. Other leaders are also speaking out. Senior officials across the Trump administration responding, including the Attorney General's office, pledging to pursue anyone connected to these attacks with the full force of federal law. State leaders echoed the same message, saying law enforcement agencies nationwide are now increasing security around universities, religious institutions, and large public events. The bigger takeaway is there are two big stories. The first is about terror, radicalized extremists attempting to bring violence into American communities. And the second story is the one that deserves just as much attention. And that one is about courage. And the heroes involved, the ROTC cadets who stopped a terrorist with their bare hands, taking him out, literally killing him. They are heroes that should be honored, in my opinion, at the White House. The security guards who confronted gunman before he could reach children at the synagogue are also the other heroes that I believe should also become heroes in a way that America can see them in some sort of ceremony at the White House as well. And then the first responders who rushed into a burning building to protect those children and others. These are the people who remind us what America looks like when evil shows up. And they prove time and time again that sometimes terrorists, well, they may hit, but we always remember who is the real threat and who we're trying to help. The President of the United States of America making it very clear he will not back down and America will not be intimidated by these terrorists. What we will do is hunt them down and take them out wherever they are in the world. Quick break. Ben Ferguson Show. More coming up.

[Podcast Host or Announcer]

Thank you for listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson. Please make sure you hit subscribe wherever you're listening to this podcast right now and for more in depth news, also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson Podcast and we will see you back here tomorrow.

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[Ben Ferguson]

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[Ben Ferguson]

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[Ben Ferguson]

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[Ben Ferguson]

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[Ben Ferguson]

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