Grand jury declines to indict man in shooting that killed teen at
Kentucky State University
[December 26, 2025]
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A grand jury has declined to indict
the father of two Kentucky State University students who was charged
with murder in an on-campus shooting that killed one student and
critically injured another.
In a social media post after the Tuesday hearing, defense attorney Scott
Danks said grand jurors decided not to indict his client, Jacob Lee
Bard, for the Dec. 9 shooting and he is out of jail. In a previous
statement sent to news outlets, Bard's attorneys have said that 20 to 30
people had gathered to attack his son and family, and that he was
justified in shooting two people who were beating his son.
After the grand jury decision, Kentucky State officials said they “will
cooperate with law enforcement and investigators as appropriate” and are
focused on student safety and well-being.
Bard's attorneys say the family was moving their younger son out, with
two armed campus police officers present, after withdrawing both sons
from school because of “multiple armed, violent" incidents against them
and other students in the days leading up to Dec. 9, some captured on
security cameras.
When the family and an officer reached the dormitory entrance on the
move-out day, the group of people in masks and hoods rushed out and
began violently assaulting the family and others, including beating the
son's head against the pavement, the attorneys said.
In October, the younger son reported a burglary in his dorm room to
campus police and received threats of violence afterward, the attorneys
said.
Because of continued death threats, the sons are now staying in an
undisclosed location, the attorneys added.
“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.
Investigators have said the shooting was isolated, but they have not
publicly shared details of the circumstances or a possible motive. The
shooting killed 19-year-old De’Jon Fox of Indianapolis.
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Law enforcement responds to a shooting at Whitney Moore Young Jr.
Hall on Kentucky State University's campus in Frankfort, Ky.,
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Hannah Brown/The State Journal via AP, File)
In a message to the campus community, Kentucky State said 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,” it said.
The shooting was the second in four months near the residence hall.
Someone fired multiple shots from a vehicle on Aug. 17, striking two
people who the university said weren’t students. Frankfort police
said one victim was treated for minor injuries and the second
sustained serious injuries. The dorm and at least one vehicle were
damaged by gunfire.
Police have said Bard, 48, is from Evansville, Indiana, which is
about 150 miles (240 kilometers) west of Frankfort. He had also been
charged with first-degree assault.
Kentucky State is a public historically Black university with about
2,200 students. Lawmakers authorized the school’s creation in 1886.
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