The victim of a shooting at Kentucky State University has been identified as De’Jon Darrell Fox, Jr., a 19-year-old student from Indianapolis. The tragic incident, which left another student critically injured, occurred at a residence hall on Tuesday afternoon.
Authorities have apprehended a suspect in connection with the shooting, confirming that the situation was isolated and posed no ongoing threat to the campus community. In response to the incident, the university has suspended classes for the remainder of the week as the investigation unfolds.
According to the Franklin County Coroner’s Office, Mr. Fox was pronounced dead at Frankfort Regional Medical Center shortly after the shooting. An autopsy has been conducted, with final results expected in 14 to 16 weeks.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear addressed the situation through social media, stating that the authorities are fully aware of the reported shooting and are responding accordingly. He conveyed condolences and called for prayers for the affected families and students, emphasizing that violence has no place in society.
University President Koffi C. Akakpo expressed deep sorrow over the loss, labeling it a “senseless tragedy.” He reflected on the devastating impact such news has on families, particularly from the perspective of a parent.
The shooting took place around 3 p.m., and Frankfort’s Assistant Chief of Police, Scott Tracy, assured the public that police responded swiftly. Jacob Lee Bard, the suspect, has been charged with murder and first-degree assault. Bard hails from Evansville, Indiana, roughly 150 miles west of Frankfort.
Currently, there is no attorney listed for Bard in online court records, and inquiries to the public defender’s office have gone unanswered. Meanwhile, the university reported that the other shooting victim, who was also a student, is currently in critical but stable condition.
Local news footage captured the scene outside the dormitories, showing a heavy police presence and crime scene tape surrounding the area. In light of the shooting, all classes and campus activities have been canceled for the rest of the week, coinciding with the conclusion of the fall term.
The recent shooting marks the second violent incident in that vicinity within four months. Earlier, on August 17, multiple shots were fired from a vehicle near the same residence hall, injuring two individuals who were not students of the university.
Kentucky State University, a public historically Black institution founded in 1886, serves approximately 2,200 students and is located just two miles east of the Kentucky State Capitol.
