FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A tragic shooting incident at Kentucky State University has left one student dead and critically injured another, leading to the arrest of a parent on murder charges.
Jacob Lee Bard, 48, was charged after he allegedly fired shots at two students at a residence hall on Tuesday. The victim, 19-year-old De’Jon Fox from Indianapolis, was killed, while a second student remains in critical condition, though they have not been publicly identified.
University officials confirmed that Bard is from Evansville, Indiana, approximately 150 miles from the campus. Following the shooting, Bard was taken into custody by university police officers, who were nearby at the time of the incident.
Investigators have reviewed video footage from the scene to gather details regarding the shooting, which they described as an isolated incident. Specific motives or circumstances leading up to the shooting have not been disclosed to the public.
Assistant Police Chief Scott Tracy noted that it is currently too early in the investigation to provide details about what may have instigated the tragedy. Reports suggest Bard may have been on campus to discuss the safety of his sons, who he allegedly believed were involved in a fight preceding the shooting.
This incident marks the second shooting in four months at the university, raising concerns about student safety. The previous incident occurred on August 17, when multiple shots were fired from a vehicle near the student residence, injuring two individuals who were not students.
Kentucky State University, a historically Black institution established in 1886, enrolls around 2,200 students. Following the earlier shooting, university officials increased security measures and are now re-evaluating them in light of this latest shooting. President Koffi C. Akakpo assured the community that safety remains a priority as the investigation unfolds.
“The campus is a safe place,” Akakpo emphasized during a news conference.
