The Kentucky State University community is reeling after the tragic death of 19-year-old student Dejon Fox, who was fatally shot during a violent incident on campus Tuesday afternoon. Fox was one of two students struck by gunfire near Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall on the university’s south campus, a place typically buzzing with student activity but now marked by grief and disbelief.
According to the Frankfort Police Department, officers responded to reports of an active aggressor at approximately 3:10 p.m. Arriving within minutes, police quickly secured the area and detained the suspected shooter, identified as 48-year-old Jacob Lee Bard of Evansville, Indiana. Bard—who has no affiliation with the university—now faces charges of murder and first-degree assault. He remains in custody at the Franklin County Regional Jail as investigators work to uncover a motive behind the attack.
Despite immediate lifesaving efforts, Fox succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind heartbroken family members, devastated friends, and a campus struggling to comprehend the sudden loss. The second injured student remains hospitalized in stable but critical condition as medical teams continue their care.
University officials expressed deep sorrow, urging unity and support during an unimaginable time. “Our hearts go out to Dejon’s family, friends, and fellow students,” a KSU spokesperson said. “This heartbreaking tragedy has shaken all of us, and we are committed to helping our community heal.”
Fox was widely known across campus as a bright, motivated young man whose enthusiasm made a lasting impact. Classmates remembered him as kind, ambitious, and deeply engaged in student life—someone who made others feel welcomed and valued. Tributes and messages of grief have poured across social media as peers share memories and honor his life.
In response to the tragedy, the university has expanded counseling and support services, providing safe spaces for students and staff to grieve. Vigils and memorial gatherings are expected in the coming days as the KSU community comes together to remember Fox and support one another.
The investigation remains active, and authorities encourage anyone with information to come forward as they work to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
As Kentucky State University mourns, the loss of Dejon Fox serves as a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community in the face of tragedy. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him—an enduring testament to a promising life taken far too soon.