The Kentucky State University shooting that unfolded Tuesday afternoon has now been confirmed to have claimed the life of De’Jon Darrell Fox Jr., a 19-year-old Kentucky State University student from Indianapolis. Fox Jr. was fatally shot near a residence hall on the Frankfort, Kentucky campus, while another KSU student remains hospitalized in critical condition. The tragedy has devastated the Thorobred community and sent shockwaves throughout the HBCU community as students, families, alumni, and administrators mourn the loss of a young life during what was supposed to be finals week at Kentucky State University.
According to authorities, the Kentucky State University shooting occurred around 3:35 p.m. near Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall on the south side of campus. Fox Jr. was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Law enforcement responded within minutes, treated the situation as an active aggressor incident, and took a suspect into custody at the scene. Officials have confirmed the suspect identified as 48-year-old Jacob Lee Bard of Evansville, Indiana is not a student at Kentucky State University and that the incident appears to be isolated, as first reported by the Associated Press and later confirmed by Reuters.
What We Know About the Kentucky State University Shooting
Authorities say the Kentucky State University shooting happened around 3 p.m. near or at the residence hall where students live and study during the academic year. Both people who were shot are confirmed to be KSU students, while the suspect has no affiliation with the university. A report from Reuters notes that Bard was taken into custody shortly after the shooting and booked on murder and assault charges in Franklin County, with investigators still working to understand what led up to the incident. Officials have not released a motive, and they have not publicly identified the victims pending notification and support for their families.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated that there is no ongoing threat to the campus and described the event as a “senseless tragedy,” calling for prayers and support for the KSU students and families who are now grieving and processing this loss. The shooting occurred as Kentucky State University was in the middle of final exams, adding another layer of stress and disruption for students who were already under academic pressure and now must navigate fear, grief and uncertainty.
How Kentucky State University Is Responding
In the immediate aftermath of the Kentucky State University shooting, campus officials moved quickly to prioritize safety and mental health. The university placed the campus on lockdown while law enforcement secured the scene and confirmed there were no additional active threats. KSU leadership then announced that all classes, final exams and university activities were canceled for the remainder of the week, giving students the option to return home or remain on campus with additional support. Counseling and mental health services have been made available to students, faculty and staff, with the administration encouraging anyone affected to seek help. Kentucky State University President Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo called the incident a “senseless tragedy” and emphasized the school’s commitment to supporting the families of the victims, along with the larger student body, as they process what has happened. The university is working closely with local law enforcement as the investigation continues and has pledged to review campus safety measures, especially around residence halls and high-traffic student areas.
A Difficult Moment for the HBCU Community
For a small, close-knit campus like Kentucky State University, which enrolls just over 2,200 students as a public, land-grant HBCU, the impact of the Kentucky State University shooting is deeply personal. Many students know each other by name, share classes, organizations, residence halls and community spaces. When violence hits an HBCU campus, it does not just affect the school—it reverberates across the entire HBCU ecosystem. KSU has been featured on HBCU Buzz for its academic achievements, community engagement and innovative programs, including recent coverage of Kentucky State University expanding research and outreach efforts that lift up students and surrounding communities. Stories like the university’s urban agriculture project show how KSU students are normally in the headlines for service, innovation and leadership, not tragedy. That contrast underscores how painful this moment is for students who expected finals week to be about grades, grades and graduation—not grief.
Moving Forward After the Kentucky State University Shooting
As the investigation into the Kentucky State University shooting continues, there are still more questions than answers. Law enforcement has not yet shared a motive, or the details of any prior relationship between the suspect and anyone on campus. In the meantime, the focus for many is on healing and accountability: healing for the students, families and staff whose lives have been permanently changed, and accountability to ensure something like this is far less likely to happen again. That means tough conversations about campus security, access to residence halls, mental health resources and how small institutions with limited budgets can still create safe environments where students feel protected and supported. It also means extending love, support and solidarity to the Kentucky State University community as they mourn the loss of a classmate and rally around the student who is still fighting to recover. For HBCU supporters, alumni and partners, this is an opportunity to stand with KSU in tangible ways—through checking in on students, advocating for resources, and continuing to highlight the excellence that defines Kentucky State University beyond this tragedy.
HBCU Buzz will continue to follow updates from Kentucky State University and local officials as more information is released about the students involved, the legal process for the suspect and any new campus safety measures that emerge as a result of this heartbreaking event.
