UPDATE: Authorities have charged a parent with murder following a tragic shooting at Kentucky State University that left one student dead and another critically injured. Jacob Lee Bard, 48, from Evansville, Indiana, allegedly opened fire on campus around 3:10 PM on December 9, 2025.
The shooting resulted in the death of 19-year-old De’Jon Darrell Fox Jr., who was rushed to Frankfort Regional Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries. A second, unnamed student remains in intensive care, grappling with life-threatening wounds.
Jacob Bard, who is the father of two other KSU students, was taken into custody almost immediately after the incident, thanks to quick intervention by campus police. He has been charged with murder and first-degree assault, entering a not guilty plea during a court hearing on December 11. Bard is currently held on a $1 million cash bond at the Franklin County Regional Jail.
Witnesses reported that the altercation began in the vicinity of Young Hall, escalating to gunfire when Bard drew a handgun. Authorities described the shooting as an isolated incident, assuring the public that there are no ongoing safety threats on campus.
In response to the tragedy, KSU canceled all classes, final exams, and activities for the rest of the week to allow students and staff to process the incident. The community is mourning the loss of Fox, remembered as a vibrant and caring young man. His mother, April Terrance, expressed her devastation, stating, “No parent expects to face this kind of heartbreak when sending their child to school.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist with funeral expenses, surpassing $2,200 of its $3,500 goal as of this report. Footage of the altercation has circulated online, verified by police as part of their investigation.
The Frankfort Police Department and the Franklin County Coroner’s Office continue to investigate this heartbreaking incident. The KSU community is left to grapple with the shock and sadness surrounding this violent act.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
