Grand jury declines to indict man in shooting that killed teen at Kentucky State University

FRANKFURT, Ky. — A grand jury has declined to indict the father of two Kentucky State University students on murder charges in a campus shooting that killed one student and seriously injured another.

In a social media post after Tuesday’s hearing, defense attorney Scott Danks said grand jurors decided not to indict his client, Jacob Lee Bard, for the Dec. 9 shooting and that he was out of jail. Bard’s lawyers said 20 to 30 people gathered to attack his son and his family, and that he was justified in shooting two people who were beating his son.

After the grand jury’s decision, Kentucky state officials said they would “cooperate with law enforcement and investigators as appropriate” and would focus on the safety and well-being of students.

Bard’s lawyers say the family was moving their youngest son, in the presence of two armed campus police officers, after removing both sons from school because of “multiple armed and violent incidents” against them and other students in the days leading up to Dec. 9, some captured on security cameras.

When the family and a police officer reached the entrance to the dormitory on moving day, the group of masked and hooded people rushed outside and began violently assaulting the family and others, including banging the son’s head against the sidewalk, the lawyers said.

In October, the younger son reported a burglary in his room to campus police and later received threats of violence, lawyers said.

Due to continued death threats, the sons are now living in an undisclosed location, the lawyers added.

“Jacob’s actions were absolutely justified under the law and were the only action that prevented the death or serious injury of his son,” the lawyers wrote.

Investigators have said the shooting was isolated, but they have not publicly shared details of the circumstances or a possible motive. The shooting killed De’Jon Fox, 19, of Indianapolis.

In a message to the university community, Kentucky State said the grand jury’s decision “does not alleviate the pain our community continues to feel, nor does it change our priorities.”

“Our commitment remains focused on supporting our students and ensuring Kentucky State University is a safe place to learn, live and work,” it says.

It was the second shooting in four months near the university residence hall. On Aug. 17, someone fired several shots from a vehicle, hitting two people who the university said were not students. Frankfurt police said one victim was treated for minor injuries and the second was seriously injured. The dormitory and at least one vehicle were damaged by gunfire.

Police said Bard, 48, was from Evansville, Indiana, about 150 miles west of Frankfort.

Kentucky State is a historically black public university with approximately 2,200 students. Legislators authorized the school’s establishment in 1886.