Frankfort, KY – A father is accused of fatally shooting a college student at Kentucky State University. Jacob Bard, 48, faces charges of murder and first-degree assault.
Bard has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The incident occurred on the afternoon of December 9.
Bard was on campus to assist his son in moving out following concerns for his safety. His son had previously been attacked, prompting Bard and his wife to report the incident to the university’s office of student affairs.
Campus police escorted the family to the dormitory to facilitate the move. According to Bard’s lawyer, the family was confronted by a group of students, one of whom was armed with a baseball bat.
Video security footage showed individuals fleeing as Bard began shooting outside the residence hall. Two students were injured, with 19-year-old De’Jon Fox later dying from his injuries.
The second student was hospitalized in critical condition but has since stabilized. Bard was apprehended and placed in the Franklin County Regional Jail.
His initial bond of $1 million was reduced to $100,000 during a court hearing. The motives behind the confrontation remain unclear, though a detective noted existing tensions between Bard’s son and the group of students.
Bard’s lawyer contended that he acted in self-defense during the incident. The accused has two sons attending Kentucky State University, both of whom are on the baseball team.
A GoFundMe for Bard raised nearly $26,000 before being removed due to policy restrictions. In contrast, a separate GoFundMe for Fox, established by those mourning his death, remains active.