FRANKFORT, KY. – A shooting on the campus of Kentucky State University (KSU), a historically Black university in Frankfort, has left one student dead and another critically injured/
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday near the Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall student dormitory, resulted in the death of one KSU student and the critical wounding of a second, who is currently in stable condition at a local hospital.
University police swiftly arrested a suspect at the scene, identified as Jacob Lee Bard of Evansville, Indiana. Authorities have confirmed that Bard is not a student at Kentucky State University. He has been booked into the Franklin County Regional Jail on charges of murder and first-degree assault.
The shooting comes just days before KSU students were scheduled to begin their winter break. Alarmingly, this is reportedly the second shooting in the same area near Young Hall in the last four months, following an August incident that injured two non-students.
Law enforcement continues to investigate the motive behind the shooting.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Frankfort Assistant Chief of Police Scott Tracy emphasized that the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the campus community. KSU President Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo called the event a “senseless tragedy” and confirmed classes, final exams, and campus activities have been canceled for the remainder of the week.
“As a parent, I cannot imagine receiving the call I placed today to the parents. Our students need prayers. Kentucky State University needs prayers.” said Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo, KSU President
This fatal incident marks a grim milestone for the Frankfort campus and the country. Kentucky State University has now become the site of the 73rd shooting on school grounds this year, most of which took place on college campuses.
