On December 9, 2025, a student was killed and another was critically injured in a shooting at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky, United States. The perpetrator, a 48-year-old father of a student at the university, was charged with murder and first-degree assault.
Kentucky State University (KSU) is a public historically Black university located in Frankfort, Kentucky, serving undergraduate and graduate students from across the state. The large campus includes multiple residence halls and academic buildings and is monitored by the Kentucky State University Police Department, with additional support from local law enforcement agencies when required.[citation needed]
The shooting occurred during the fall academic semester, a period when students were residing on campus and participating in end-of-semester activities. University officials stated that the incident took place within a student residential facility, an area typically restricted to students, staff, and authorized visitors.[citation needed]
The attack was the second shooting in four months near the student residence.[1]
Prior to the shooting, no campus-wide alerts indicating an imminent threat had been issued. Authorities later described the incident as isolated, emphasizing that there was no ongoing danger to the broader campus community following the suspect's arrest.[2]
Shooting
A man opened fire with a handgun during a dispute near the Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall residence hall.[3] Campus police and local law enforcement responded to reports of gunfire and quickly secured the area.[1]
University officials issued an emergency alert advising students and staff to shelter in place while law enforcement conducted a sweep of the residence hall. The lockdown was lifted later the same day after authorities confirmed that the situation was contained.[4]
Victims
One student was killed and another was critically injured in the shooting. The deceased victim was identified as De’Jon Fox, a 19-year-old student from Indianapolis, Indiana. A second student was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries and was later reported to be in stable condition. Authorities did not immediately release the injured student's name.[5]
Perpetrator
The perpetrator was identified as 48-year-old Jacob Lee Bard of Evansville, Indiana. Investigators said the shooting was isolated, but they have not publicly shared details of the circumstances or a possible motive. Bard was booked into jail on murder and first-degree assault charges. He was represented by a public defender. His bond was set at $1 million.[1][4]
Responses
After the shooting, Kentucky State University canceled classes and campus activities and offered counseling and support services to students and staff. University officials stated that additional security measures were implemented in the days following the incident. State and local officials also issued statements expressing condolences to the victims and their families.
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