Kentucky State University releases statement regarding shooting

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky State University has released the following statement regarding a shooting Tuesday that has left one person dead, one person injured and another arrested:

“Our campus community is navigating an extraordinarily difficult moment following the tragic shooting that occurred on Tuesday afternoon near Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall. This senseless act of violence took the life of one of our own and deeply affected many others across our campus.”

“Today, as we grieve together, we also want to ensure that our extended Thorobred family remain informed and connected to the heart of our community.

“As previously shared, the Frankfort Police Department is leading the ongoing investigation. We are grateful for their swift and professional response, as well as the immediate actions taken by Kentucky State University Police, our students, emergency responders, and our local, state, and federal partners. Their collective efforts ensured the safety of our campus and allowed the suspect to be apprehended without further harm.

“Earlier today, President Koffi C. Akakpo shared the devastating news that the student we lost was De’Jon Darrell Fox, Jr., 19, of Indianapolis, Indiana, a sophomore business administration major. De’Jon was known across campus for his creativity, his style, and his kindness. He was recognized for his “fits of the day,” his bright smile, and his warm, vibrant spirit that had a way of making everyone feel seen. He loved basketball, content creation, and the close-knit circle of friends he found here at Kentucky State. His passing is an immeasurable loss to our university family.

“We gathered as a campus family for a candlelight vigil at 3 p.m this afternoon, at the site of this tragedy. The vigil was a moment of unity, reflection, and shared mourning. Our team delivered a powerful message reminding us that although our community is shaken, we are not broken.

“We are a community built on resilience. We are a campus grounded in courage. We are a family strengthened by unity. When one of us hurts, all of us hurt. And when one of us rises, all of us rise.” These words offered comfort and reaffirmed the spirit that has always defined Kentucky State University.

“As we mourn De’Jon’s death, we also hold in our hearts the student who remains hospitalized, their family, their friends, and all who are carrying pain, fear, or grief in the aftermath of this tragedy. Counseling and support services continue to be available for students, faculty, and staff, and our teams in Academic and Student Affairs are working closely with any student in need of assistance or guidance.

“Since this tragedy, President Akakpo and university leadership have been clear: our entire focus is on our students—their safety, their well-being, and their healing. You will continue to see compassion, care, and infrastructure mobilized across campus to support them.

“Faculty and staff remain on campus, available to listen, assist, and reassure students during this time. Adjustments to final exams, class schedules, and academic expectations have been communicated to students, with flexibility at the forefront of all decisions.

“Our campus is grieving, but our campus is also united. We have seen extraordinary compassion—from students comforting one another, to faculty offering quiet spaces of support, to alumni and community partners reaching out with messages of prayer, love, and strength. These gestures remind us that Kentucky State University is not defined by tragedy, but by how we rise together in response.

“We ask that you continue to keep De’Jon’s family, the students affected, and the entire KSU community in your thoughts and prayers. Your ongoing support, love, and commitment to Kentucky State University mean more now than ever.

“Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for believing in our students. And thank you for being part of the Thorobred family—today and always.”

REALTED: Suspect, victim identified after shooting at Kentucky State University

According to WKYT, Kentucky State University officials identified the dead victim as 19-year-old student De’Jon Fox.

A second student remains in intensive care at a local hospital.

Jacob Lee Bard, a parent of a KSU student, has been formally charged with first-degree murder and assault, according to WKYT.