A grand jury in Kentucky has decided not to indict a father charged with murder following a fatal shooting on the campus of Kentucky State University (KSU). The incident, which occurred on 9 December, resulted in the death of one student and left another critically injured.
Grand Jury Decision and Defence Claims
Following a hearing on Tuesday, 24 December 2025, the grand jury declined to return an indictment against Jacob Lee Bard, 48, from Evansville, Indiana. Defence attorney Scott Danks announced the decision in a social media post, confirming his client was released from jail. Bard's legal team argued his actions were a justified response to a violent attack on his son.
The attorneys stated the family was moving their younger son out of a dormitory, with two armed campus police officers present, after withdrawing both sons from the university. They cited "multiple armed, violent" incidents in the days leading up to 9 December, some captured on security footage, as the reason for the withdrawal.
Details of the Violent Confrontation
According to the defence, when the family and an officer reached the dormitory entrance on the move-out day, a masked group rushed out and launched a violent assault. They claim Bard's son was beaten, with his head struck against the pavement. The attorneys stated that 20 to 30 people had gathered to attack the family, and Bard shot two individuals who were assaulting his son to prevent his death or serious injury.
The defence also revealed that the younger son had reported a burglary in his dorm room to campus police in October and subsequently received violent threats. Due to continued death threats, both sons are now in an undisclosed location.
University Response and Broader Context
In a message to the campus community, Kentucky State University acknowledged the grand jury's decision but stated it "does not lessen the pain our community continues to feel". The university emphasised its commitment to student safety and well-being, pledging to cooperate with law enforcement.
The shooting claimed the life of 19-year-old De'Jon Fox from Indianapolis. Investigators have described the event as isolated but have not publicly detailed the circumstances or a possible motive.
This was the second shooting in four months near the same residence hall. On 17 August, someone fired multiple shots from a vehicle, injuring two non-students and damaging the dorm and a vehicle.
Kentucky State University, a public historically Black university founded in 1886, has an enrolment of approximately 2,200 students.
