FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A grand jury has declined to indict the father of two Kentucky State University students who had been charged with murder in connection with an on-campus shooting that left one student dead and another critically injured.
In a social media post following Tuesday’s grand jury hearing, defense attorney Scott Danks said jurors chose not to indict his client, Jacob Lee Bard, in the Dec. 9 shooting. As a result of the decision, Bard has been released from jail. In a previous statement provided to news outlets, Bard’s attorneys stated that between 20 and 30 people had gathered and attacked his son and family, and that Bard acted in self-defense when he shot two individuals who were allegedly beating his son.
Following the grand jury’s decision, Kentucky State University officials said they would continue to cooperate with law enforcement and investigators as appropriate. University leaders emphasized that their focus remains on student safety and overall well-being.
According to Bard’s attorneys, the family had been in the process of moving their younger son out of campus housing, with two armed campus police officers present, after withdrawing both sons from the university. The attorneys said the decision to withdraw was due to what they described as multiple violent incidents involving weapons that had targeted the sons and other students in the days leading up to Dec. 9, some of which were reportedly captured on security cameras.
The attorneys further stated that when the family and an officer arrived at the dormitory entrance on move-out day, a group of individuals wearing masks and hoods rushed out and began assaulting the family and others. They alleged that the younger son’s head was beaten against the pavement during the altercation.
In October, the attorneys said, the younger son had reported a burglary in his dorm room to campus police and later received threats of violence. Due to what they described as ongoing death threats, the attorneys added that both sons are now staying at an undisclosed location.
“Jacob’s actions were absolutely justified under the law, and were the only measure that prevented his son’s death or serious injury,” the attorneys wrote in a statement.
Investigators have said the shooting was an isolated incident, though they have not publicly released detailed information about the circumstances or a possible motive. The shooting resulted in the death of 19-year-old De’Jon Fox of Indianapolis.
In a message to the campus community, Kentucky State University said the grand jury’s decision “does not lessen the pain our community continues to feel, nor does it change our priorities.”
“Our commitment remains centered on supporting our students and ensuring Kentucky State University is a safe place to learn, live, and work,” the statement said.
The Dec. 9 shooting marked the second gun-related incident near the same residence hall in a four-month period. On Aug. 17, multiple shots were fired from a vehicle, striking two people whom the university said were not students. Frankfort police reported that one person was treated for minor injuries while the other sustained serious injuries. The dormitory building and at least one vehicle were also damaged by gunfire.
Police have said Bard, 48, is from Evansville, Indiana, approximately 150 miles west of Frankfort. In addition to the murder charge, he had also faced a charge of first-degree assault.
Kentucky State University is a public historically Black university with an enrollment of about 2,200 students. The institution was established in 1886 following authorization by state lawmakers.
