A tragic event unfolded at Kentucky State University (KSU) when a shooting claimed the life of a 19-year-old student, De’Jon Darrell Fox Jr. The incident, which left another student critically injured, occurred outside the Whitney M. Young Jr. residence hall on KSU's campus. The Franklin Police Department confirmed that the shooter, identified as Jacob Lee Bard, 48, is the parent of a KSU student. Bard has been charged with first-degree murder and assault and is currently held at the Franklin County Regional Jail, as People reported.
Authorities have described the incident as an "isolated incident" with no ongoing safety concerns for the campus or surrounding community. According to reports, Bard is preliminarily charged and the full details leading up to the shooting have not been disclosed by the police. Assistant Police Chief Scott Tracy of the Frankfort Police Department expressed deep regret for the loss and extended condolences to the victim's family, as WISH-TV documented.
De'Jon Fox, originally from Indianapolis, was remembered by his grandmother, Apryl Tarrance, as a lively and beloved figure within his family and community. Speaking to NBC News, Tarrance said, "He is the life of the party, the goofy one, the class clown, the family comedian, the concerned one. He’s a wonderful kid.” The family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses amid this difficult time.
Following the shooting, KSU has suspended all classes, final exams, and campus activities for the remainder of the week. Dr. Koffi Akakpo, the president of KSU, urged the community to "pray for a world where these things don’t happen," as he characterized the event as a “senseless tragedy” in a statement echoed by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, according to NBC News. In response to the incident, Tarrance has held the university accountable, stating, "They were supposed to protect these children... I hold them fully accountable for it." A spokesperson for KSU did not immediately respond to these claims.
KSU, with a student population of around 2,200, is a historically Black university founded in 1886. The campus now mourns the lost life and grapples with the impact of the shooting on its students, faculty, and the broader community. The university has asked for prayers during this challenging period as they navigate the aftermath of the tragedy. The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, and updates are expected as more information becomes available.
