Grand Jury Decides Against Indicting Suspect in Shooting Death of Teen at Kentucky State University

A grand jury has decided not to indict the father of two Kentucky State University students charged with murder in a tragic on-campus shooting that resulted in one student’s death and left another critically injured.

Following the Tuesday hearing, defense attorney Scott Danks announced via social media that the grand jurors opted not to indict Jacob Lee Bard for the shooting that occurred on December 9. Bard is now out of jail. His legal team previously stated that a group of 20 to 30 individuals had gathered to attack his family, asserting that Bard acted in self-defense when he shot two people who were assaulting his son.

In response to the grand jury’s decision, officials at Kentucky State University expressed their commitment to cooperating with law enforcement and investigators. They emphasized their focus on the safety and well-being of their students.

According to Bard’s attorneys, the family was in the process of moving their younger son out of the dormitory, accompanied by two armed campus police officers. This decision followed a series of “multiple armed, violent” incidents targeting them and other students in the days leading up to the shooting, some of which were captured on security cameras.

On the day of the move, as the family and an officer approached the dormitory entrance, a group of masked individuals rushed out and began to violently attack them. The attorneys reported that the son was beaten, with his head struck against the pavement.

In October, the younger son had reported a burglary in his dorm room to campus police and subsequently received threats of violence, according to the family’s legal representatives. Due to ongoing death threats, the sons are currently staying in 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 stated.

While investigators have characterized the shooting as an isolated incident, they have not disclosed specific details regarding the circumstances or a potential motive. The shooting claimed the life of 19-year-old De’Jon Fox from Indianapolis.

In a message to the campus community, Kentucky State University acknowledged that the grand jury’s decision “does not lessen the pain our community continues to feel, nor does it change our priorities.” They reiterated their commitment to supporting students and ensuring a safe learning environment.

This incident marks the second shooting near the residence hall within four months. On August 17, multiple shots were fired from a vehicle, injuring two individuals who were not students. Frankfort police reported that one victim sustained minor injuries while the other suffered serious injuries, with gunfire damaging the dorm and at least one vehicle.

Bard, 48, hails from Evansville, Indiana, located approximately 150 miles (240 kilometers) west of Frankfort. He was also charged with first-degree assault.

Kentucky State University is a public historically Black institution with an enrollment of around 2,200 students. The university was established in 1886.

Photo: Law enforcement at the scene at Whitney Moore Young Jr. Hall on Kentucky State University’s campus in Frankfort on December 9. (Hannah Brown/The State Journal via AP, File)

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A grand jury has decided not to indict the father of two Kentucky State University students charged with murder in a tragic on-campus shooting that resulted in one student’s death and left another critically injured.

Following the Tuesday hearing, defense attorney Scott Danks announced via social media that the grand jurors opted not to indict Jacob Lee Bard for the shooting that occurred on December 9. Bard is now out of jail. His legal team previously stated that a group of 20 to 30 individuals had gathered to attack his family, asserting that Bard acted in self-defense when he shot two people who were assaulting his son.

In response to the grand jury’s decision, officials at Kentucky State University expressed their commitment to cooperating with law enforcement and investigators. They emphasized their focus on the safety and well-being of their students.

According to Bard’s attorneys, the family was in the process of moving their younger son out of the dormitory, accompanied by two armed campus police officers. This decision followed a series of “multiple armed, violent” incidents targeting them and other students in the days leading up to the shooting, some of which were captured on security cameras.

On the day of the move, as the family and an officer approached the dormitory entrance, a group of masked individuals rushed out and began to violently attack them. The attorneys reported that the son was beaten, with his head struck against the pavement.

In October, the younger son had reported a burglary in his dorm room to campus police and subsequently received threats of violence, according to the family’s legal representatives. Due to ongoing death threats, the sons are currently staying in 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 stated.

While investigators have characterized the shooting as an isolated incident, they have not disclosed specific details regarding the circumstances or a potential motive. The shooting claimed the life of 19-year-old De’Jon Fox from Indianapolis.

In a message to the campus community, Kentucky State University acknowledged that the grand jury’s decision “does not lessen the pain our community continues to feel, nor does it change our priorities.” They reiterated their commitment to supporting students and ensuring a safe learning environment.

This incident marks the second shooting near the residence hall within four months. On August 17, multiple shots were fired from a vehicle, injuring two individuals who were not students. Frankfort police reported that one victim sustained minor injuries while the other suffered serious injuries, with gunfire damaging the dorm and at least one vehicle.

Bard, 48, hails from Evansville, Indiana, located approximately 150 miles (240 kilometers) west of Frankfort. He was also charged with first-degree assault.

Kentucky State University is a public historically Black institution with an enrollment of around 2,200 students. The university was established in 1886.

Photo: Law enforcement at the scene at Whitney Moore Young Jr. Hall on Kentucky State University’s campus in Frankfort on December 9. (Hannah Brown/The State Journal via AP, File)

Topics
Education
Kentucky
Universities