Tragic Shooting at Kentucky State University Leaves One Dead
In a tragic turn of events, a shooting at Kentucky State University’s campus residence hall resulted in the death of one student and left another critically injured. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, has led to the arrest of a suspect who is not affiliated with the university.
The shooting took place at approximately 3 p.m. in Whitney Moore Young Jr. Hall, according to Scott Tracy, assistant chief of police for Frankfort. He described the situation as an “isolated incident” and confirmed that there are no ongoing safety threats on campus. “There are no active safety concerns on campus at this time,” Tracy stated during a news conference.
The suspect, identified as Jacob Lee Bard from Evansville, Indiana, has been charged with murder and first-degree assault. Frankfort police revealed that Bard, whose hometown is around 150 miles away from Frankfort, was swiftly apprehended following the incident.
Despite the arrest, online county court records did not list Bard, and there is no information regarding his legal representation. Efforts to obtain comments from the public defender’s office and the prosecutor’s office have been unsuccessful.
WLKY-TV footage from Louisville depicted a heavy police presence and crime scene tape surrounding dormitories at the university, located in Kentucky’s capital city, Frankfort. The university confirmed that the student in critical condition remains stable, but their identity, along with the deceased student, has not been disclosed.
The university expressed its commitment to supporting the affected families, stating, “We are in close contact with the families and are providing every available support to them.” Counseling and support services have been made available to the university community.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear addressed the incident in a video on X, emphasizing that it “appears to be an isolated incident” and assured the public that “there is no ongoing threat.” He added, “Violence has no place in our commonwealth or country. Let’s please pray for the families affected and for our KSU students. Let’s also pray for a world where these things don’t happen.”
In response to the tragedy, Kentucky State University has canceled classes, final exams, and campus activities for the rest of the week. The fall term was initially set to conclude on Friday. The university has allowed students the option to return home, stating, “Students may return home if they choose. Additional guidance will be communicated as soon as possible.”
University President Koffi C. Akakpo conveyed the institution’s grief, calling the shooting a “senseless tragedy.” During the news conference, he expressed his condolences, “We’re mourning the loss of one of our students. As a parent, I cannot imagine receiving the call I placed today to the parents.”
This incident marks the second shooting near the same area of the university in just four months. Previously, on August 17, shots fired from a vehicle struck two individuals who were not students, resulting in one minor and one serious injury. The dormitory and a vehicle were also damaged in that incident.
Kentucky State University, a historically Black public institution founded in 1886, hosts around 2,200 students and is located two miles east of the state Capitol.
