A shooting incident at Kentucky State University has resulted in the death of a teenager and left another student critically injured. The parent of a student, Jacod Lee Bard, has been charged with murder in connection with the incident that occurred at the university’s campus in Frankfort on December 9. The victim, identified as 19-year-old De’Jon Fox of Indianapolis, succumbed to the shooting, while a second student remains in critical condition.
Authorities have not disclosed the motive behind the shooting but have classified it as an isolated event. Bard, hailing from Evansville, Indiana, faces charges of murder and first-degree assault. University police reported that the shooting occurred following an altercation, leading to Bard’s immediate arrest.
Speculations have arisen regarding a potential altercation involving Bard’s son prior to the shooting or Bard’s visit to discuss his sons’ safety with administrators. However, Frankfort Assistant Police Chief Scott Tracy declined to address these rumors, citing the ongoing investigation’s early stage.
The shooting transpired at Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall, marking the second shooting incident at the university’s halls of residence within four months. The previous incident on August 17 involved two non-students being targeted, resulting in minor and serious injuries. The shooting caused damage to the dormitory and a vehicle.
In response to the incidents, University President Koffi C. Akakpo mentioned that additional police officers were deployed after the initial shooting and emphasized the ongoing evaluation of safety measures for students. Akakpo reassured the public of the campus’s safety during a news conference.
Kentucky State University, a public historically Black institution with approximately 2,200 students, has been at the center of the recent tragic events. Bard is currently being represented by a public defender at the Franklin County Department of Public Advocacy, which has refrained from commenting on the case.