Grand jury declines to indict Kentucky State University father involved in Dec. 9 campus shooting
A Kentucky grand jury decided Tuesday not to charge Jacob Lee Bard, the 48‑year‑old father of two Kentucky State University (KSU) students, with murder following the on‑campus shooting that killed 19‑year‑old De’Jon Fox and left another student critically injured.
Bard, who was cleared and released from jail after the hearing, has maintained that his actions were justified. In a post on social media, defense attorney Scott Danks announced that the jurors “did not indict his client” and that Bard is now free.
Bard’s lawyers say the family had been the target of a “multiple armed, violent” attack. According to their statement, the parents and their teenage son moved out of the dormitory on a day when two armed campus police officers were present.
They were withdrawn from classes after a slew of aggressive incidents that were recorded on security cameras. When the family and an officer reached the dorm entrance on the move‑out day, the group of masked and hooded individuals rushed out, violently assaulting the family and other occupants. The attackers reportedly beat one of the sons and slammed him’s head into the pavement.
Earlier in October, the younger son reported a burglary at his dorm room to campus police and subsequently received threats of violence. Because of continued death threats, the brothers are now staying at an undisclosed location.
“Jacob’s actions were absolutely justified under the law, and were the only measure that prevented his son’s death or serious injury,” the attorneys wrote in a statement to the press.
Investigators have described the incident as “isolated,” but have not released details about the circumstances or a potential motive.
Kentucky State officials said the university “will cooperate with law enforcement and investigators as appropriate” and remain focused on student safety and well‑being. In a message to the campus community, the university noted that the grand jury decision “does not lessen the pain our community continues to feel, nor does it change our priorities.”
“Our commitment remains centered on supporting our students and ensuring Kentucky State University is a safe place to learn, live, and work,” the statement read.
The Dec. 9 shooting was the second in four months of violent incidents near the residence hall. The first occurred on Aug. 17, when someone fired multiple shots from a vehicle, striking two people who were not students.
Frankfort police said one victim was treated for minor injuries and the other suffered serious injuries. The dorm and at least one vehicle were damaged by gunfire.
Bard, originally from Evansville, Indiana—about 150 miles west of Frankfort—had also faced a first‑degree assault charge. Kentucky State, a public historically Black university with roughly 2,200 students and founded in 1886, continues to navigate the fallout from the campus shootings.
Source: NYPost
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