The Commonwealth’s Attorney of Norfolk, Virginia, Ramin Fatehi, publicly linked pro-gun lawmakers and judges to the March 12 mass shooting at Old Dominion University. Fatehi, who has received significant campaign support from George Soros-backed PACs, maintained his remarks during a press conference despite widespread backlash.
DA Highlights Gun Laws in Wake of ODU Shooting
Fatehi said the gun lobby’s “absolutism” contributes to mass shootings like the one at Old Dominion University, asserting that an attacker is “more dangerous with a gun than without one,” regardless of their ideology. The Norfolk DA emphasized that the issue transcends local crime, describing it as a “national sickness” rooted in prioritizing gun rights over community safety.
He acknowledged limitations in discussing details related to the shooter but urged focus on broader policy questions about gun accessibility. Fatehi has served as Norfolk’s Commonwealth Attorney since 2022 and received over $650,000 from Soros-affiliated Justice and Public Safety PAC and Democracy PAC between 2021 and 2025.
Shooter’s Background Spurs Criticism of DA
The shooter, a former National Guardsman and naturalized citizen from Sierra Leone, previously was convicted in 2017 of attempting to provide material support to ISIS and was released by federal authorities in late 2024. Conservative critics pointed to this history, condemning Fatehi’s focus on gun laws while downplaying the shooter’s criminal record and alleged extremist ties.
Conservative commentators on social media expressed outrage, with some accusing Fatehi of ignoring public safety in favor of political posturing. Others warned that the DA might pursue charges against those who intervened during the attack.
Fatehi’s Funding Links to Soros-Backed Political Action Committees
The fundraising support from the Soros-affiliated PACs aligns Fatehi with other progressive prosecutors nationwide who emphasize criminal justice reform and gun control measures. The Justice and Public Safety PAC has received $40 million from Soros since 2012, while Democracy PAC collected nearly $30 million in early 2020.
These PACs have supported other notable district attorneys such as San Francisco’s Chesa Boudin, Chicago’s Kim Foxx, and Los Angeles’ George Gascon, all known for liberal prosecutorial approaches. Fatehi’s remarks and political backing position him among this group confronting gun policy amid rising mass shootings.
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