FRANKFORT, Ky. (JN) – The Kentucky State University shooting on Tuesday afternoon left one student dead and another critically injured, sending police to a campus residence hall and forcing the university to suspend classes. Authorities say officers arrested a suspect who is not enrolled at the school, and they stress there is no ongoing threat.
The violence unfolded during the final week of the fall term at Kentucky State University, a public historically Black university in Frankfort. As investigators work to establish what led to the shooting, university leaders have shifted their focus to student safety and family support.
Police said the shooting happened around 3 p.m. at Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall, a campus dormitory. Scott Tracy, assistant chief of the Frankfort Police Department, told reporters that officers arrived quickly, secured the building and detained a suspect.
“There are no active safety concerns on campus at this time,” Tracy said. He described the shooting as an isolated incident. However, authorities have not disclosed a motive.
Frankfort police identified the suspect as Jacob Lee Bard. They said he is not a student at the university. Officers booked Bard, who is from Evansville, on charges of murder and first-degree assault.
Court records available Tuesday night did not list an attorney for Bard. Jail records also did not name legal representation. In addition, the local public defender’s office and prosecutor’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Campus Response and Student Support
University officials confirmed that one student died in the shooting. A second student remains in critical but stable condition. For now, the university has not released their names, citing privacy and the need to notify families.
In a statement, the university said it is in close contact with the families and is offering counseling and other support services. Administrators urged students to seek help if needed, especially as many were preparing for final exams.
University President Koffi C. Akakpo called the shooting a “senseless tragedy.” Speaking at the evening news conference, he said the loss has shaken the campus community.
“We’re mourning the loss of one of our students,” Akakpo said. “As a parent I cannot imagine receiving the call I placed today to the parents.”
Governor Andy Beshear also addressed the Kentucky State University shooting in a video message posted online. He said the incident appears to be isolated and confirmed there is no continuing threat. At the same time, he urged support for the families and students affected.
As a precaution, the university canceled classes, final exams and campus activities for the rest of the week. The fall term had been scheduled to end Friday. Students may return home if they choose, and officials said they will share further guidance soon.
Second Shooting Near Residence Hall in Four Months
Tuesday’s Kentucky State University shooting is the second incident involving gunfire near the same residence hall in four months. On Aug. 17, someone fired multiple shots from a vehicle close to Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall, according to university officials at the time.
That earlier shooting injured two people who were not students. One person suffered minor injuries, while the other sustained serious injuries. Gunfire also damaged the dormitory and at least one vehicle.
Authorities have not said whether the two cases are connected. Nevertheless, the recurrence of violence near student housing is likely to draw renewed attention to campus security and coordination with local law enforcement.
A Historic Institution Confronts Loss
Kentucky State University enrolls about 2,200 students. Lawmakers authorized its creation in 1886, and it remains one of Kentucky’s public institutions of higher education. The campus sits roughly two miles east of the state Capitol building.
For many students, the timing of the shooting added to the shock. The incident occurred during what is usually a routine and focused period before exams. Instead, students saw police vehicles outside dormitories and crime scene tape around parts of campus.
Investigators continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses. Meanwhile, university leaders say they will review safety procedures as needed. Although officials emphasize there is no active threat, the Kentucky State University shooting has left a lasting mark on a close-knit campus community.
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