Authorities revealed on Wednesday that the individual accused of the fatal shooting at a Kentucky State University dormitory is a parent of a student attending the institution. The incident resulted in one student’s death and left another severely injured.

Jacob Lee Bard, aged 48, faces charges of murder and first-degree assault following the violent episode that took place on Tuesday at the Whitney M. Young Jr. residence hall, located on the campus’s southern side. According to Frankfort Police, Bard hails from Evansville, Indiana, roughly 150 miles from Frankfort.

The tragic event claimed the life of 19-year-old De’Jon Fox from Indianapolis. The other student involved is in critical condition, though authorities have yet to release his identity.

While investigators have confirmed that the shooting was a targeted incident involving specific individuals, they have not provided further information regarding the circumstances or potential motives behind the attack.

Jacob Lee Bard, 48, has been officially charged with murder and first-degree assault in connection with the deadly shooting at Kentucky State University on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. Bard, who resides in Evansville, Indiana, is the parent of another student at the university. (Franklin County Regional Jail)

When asked about reports that a fight involving Bard’s sons occurred before the shooting or whether Bard had come to campus to speak with administrators about their safety, Frankfort Assistant Police Chief Scott Tracy declined to say what may have led to the violence.

The shooting happened around 3 p.m. at the Whitney M. Young Jr. residence hall on the Kentucky State University campus on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (@Collins_Wx via Storyful)

“It’s really too early in the investigation right now to really give any details that led up to it. A lot of it would be speculation,” Tracy said Wednesday.

Police said they have reviewed bystander video and surveillance footage.

Police are reviewing video footage to help determine the circumstances that led to the violence. (@Collins_Wx via Storyful)

Frankfort officers responded around 3:10 p.m. to a report of a shooting at the residence hall and arrived within minutes. By then, Kentucky State University police had already taken Bard into custody.

Bard is being held at the Franklin County Regional Jail.