Murder Charge Filed in Kentucky State University Campus Shooting

Thu Dec 11 2025 08:55:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A parent of a student at Kentucky State University has been charged with murder following a tragic shooting that resulted in one student's death and another's critical injury. Authorities are investigating the circumstances leading to the incident.

Jacob Lee Bard, a 48-year-old from Evansville, Indiana, has been charged with murder after he allegedly shot two students at Kentucky State University's Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall. The shooting left 19-year-old De’Jon Fox dead and another student critically injured. Investigations are ongoing, focusing on the events preceding the shooting and Bard's potential motives. University officials are contemplating increased security measures in response to the incident.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A parent of a Kentucky State University student has been charged with murder following a shooting on campus that claimed the life of one student and critically injured another.

Jacob Lee Bard, 48, was arrested on Tuesday after he allegedly fired shots targeting the two victims at a residence hall on the university campus. The tragic incident resulted in the death of 19-year-old De’Jon Fox from Indianapolis, while the second student remains in critical condition. The identity of the critically injured student has not been released.

Although police have described the shooting as isolated, specific details regarding the circumstances or a possible motive have not yet been disclosed. Bard has been charged with both murder and first-degree assault and is currently represented by a public defender, though their office declined to comment on his case.

According to reports, Bard's arrest took place quickly as university police were near the scene when the shots were fired. Investigators are currently reviewing video evidence captured by bystanders at the scene as well as surveillance footage available.

Assistant Police Chief Scott Tracy stated to reporters that it is too early in the investigation to provide any substantive details concerning what may have prompted the shooting, suggesting that many variables are still being examined.

This incident marked the second shooting in four months near the student residence; a previous shooting in August resulted in injuries to two people who were not students. Following the earlier incident, university officials had increased police presence on campus, which will be reassessed after the latest shooting.

Kentucky State University President Koffi C. Akakpo emphasized the importance of safety on campus, expressing confidence in the security measures in place. The university, founded in 1886, serves approximately 2,200 students and is located about two miles east of the Capitol building in Frankfort.