FRANKFORT, Ky. — A grand jury has decided not to charge the father of two Kentucky State University students in connection with a shooting incident on campus that left one student dead and another critically injured. The jurors declined to indict Jacob Lee Bard, effectively releasing him from custody.
Defense attorney Scott Danks announced the grand jury’s decision following the hearing, affirming that Bard’s actions were justified. According to Bard’s legal team, the shooting occurred during a chaotic confrontation involving up to 30 individuals who allegedly aimed to assault Bard’s son and family as they were vacating their residence after withdrawing from the university. They stressed that Bard intervened to protect his son from severe harm.
Following the verdict, officials at Kentucky State University emphasized their commitment to student safety and well-being, stating they would cooperate with law enforcement during the ongoing investigation. This incident has raised multiple concerns regarding campus safety, particularly after a series of disturbing events preceding the shooting.
The Bard family had been attempting to move their younger son out of his dorm amid reports of violent threats against them, including a burglary incident earlier that semester that led to escalating concerns for their safety. In the lead-up to the shooting, their attorneys indicated that security footage captured several violent encounters involving the family, contributing to their decision to withdraw from the university.
On the day of the shooting, the family and a campus police officer encountered a masked group that allegedly attacked them outside the dormitory. According to Bard’s defense, this group initiated the violent confrontation, which led to Bard discharging his firearm in an effort to defend his son.
Authorities have not publicly divulged extensive details regarding the shooting incident, which claimed the life of 19-year-old De’Jon Fox of Indianapolis. While police have labeled the shooting as an isolated event, the situation remains under investigation.
In the aftermath, Kentucky State University reiterated its commitment to supporting its students, stating that the grand jury’s decision does not diminish the emotional impact felt within the campus community. The university continues to prioritize creating a safe environment for learning and living.
This shooting was not the first violent incident on or near campus. Just months prior, gunfire erupted from a vehicle near a residence hall, injuring two individuals not connected to the university. Those incidents have heightened concerns about safety among students and their families.
Jacob Lee Bard, 48, hails from Evansville, Indiana, located approximately 150 miles west of Frankfort. Kentucky State University, established in 1886, serves around 2,200 students and is recognized as a public historically Black university.