Kentucky Father Charged After Opening Fire at Son’s College Dorm, Killing Student Amid ‘Bad Blood’ Dispute
FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY — A Kentucky father is facing murder and assault charges after police say he opened fire outside a college dormitory while helping his son move out, killing one student and critically injuring another amid what investigators described as ongoing “bad blood” between his child and a group of students.
Authorities identified the suspect as Jacob Bard, 48, who was arrested following the December 9 shooting on the campus of Kentucky State University in Frankfort. Bard has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Parents Arrive on Campus Over Safety Concerns
According to the Frankfort Police Department, Bard traveled to the university with his wife after becoming concerned about his son’s safety. Bard’s attorney said the son had previously been attacked on campus, prompting the parents to report the incident to the university’s office of student affairs.
After the meeting, campus police escorted the parents to their son’s dormitory so they could help him move out of the residence hall.
What began as a move-out process quickly escalated into violence.
Shooting Outside Residence Hall Leaves One Dead
Bard’s attorney, Mark Hall, told the court that the family was “essentially attacked” outside the dorm. Security footage and a video posted on social media reportedly show people running, with at least one individual seen holding a baseball bat, shortly before gunfire erupted.
Police say two students were shot during the incident. De’Jon Fox, 19, was fatally wounded. A second student was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and was later reported to be stable.
Emergency responders and law enforcement flooded the scene as students fled in panic.
Police Cite Ongoing Conflict Between Students
Investigators have not publicly detailed what sparked the confrontation immediately before the shooting. However, Frankfort police detective Laura Marco told reporters that there had been ongoing tensions involving Bard’s son.
“There was bad blood between Bard’s son and a group of students,” Marco said, noting that at least one assault had been reported to police, along with other alleged attempted incidents.
Authorities said the conflict context is central to understanding why emotions escalated so rapidly outside the dorm.
Defense Claims Self-Defense
Bard’s attorney argued that his client acted in self-defense while trying to protect his family.
“Mr. Bard went to Kentucky State University with a purpose,” Hall said. “And that purpose was to remove his children from an unsafe environment.”
The defense has pointed to video evidence and witness accounts showing individuals running toward the area before shots were fired, suggesting Bard believed there was an imminent threat.
Prosecutors, however, maintain that the shooting was unjustified and resulted in the death of an uninvolved student.
Arrest, Charges, and Reduced Bond
Bard was taken into custody and booked into the Franklin County Regional Jail. He is charged with murder in the death of De’Jon Fox and first-degree assault for the critically injured student.
His bond was initially set at $1 million, but a judge reduced it to $100,000 during a Tuesday court hearing.
Court records indicate Bard had two sons enrolled at Kentucky State University, both of whom were members of the baseball team, according to reporting from the Evansville Courier & Press.
GoFundMe Campaigns Draw Attention
Following Bard’s arrest, a GoFundMe campaign raised nearly $26,000 for him before being removed. The platform cited its policy prohibiting fundraisers for the legal defense of individuals charged with violent crimes.
A separate GoFundMe for De’Jon Fox remains active. The fundraiser describes a family devastated by loss just weeks before Christmas.
“His parents are now facing the kind of heartbreak no parent should ever have to endure,” the page reads, “planning a funeral for their child and navigating a future without them.”
Campus and Community Reeling
The shooting has shaken the Kentucky State University community, raising concerns about campus safety, parental involvement in student disputes, and how conflicts can spiral into deadly violence.
University officials have not released detailed statements regarding security changes but confirmed they are cooperating fully with law enforcement.
As the case moves through the Kentucky court system, investigators continue reviewing surveillance footage and witness testimony to determine exactly how a dorm move-out turned into a fatal shooting.
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