On a cold Tuesday afternoon in Frankfort, Kentucky, tragedy struck the campus of Kentucky State University (KSU), a historically Black college with deep roots in the community. Around 3:10 p.m. on December 9, 2025, the peace of the university was shattered by gunfire near Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall, a residence hall on the south side of campus. The shooting left one student dead and another in critical but stable condition, sending shockwaves through the student body, faculty, and the broader Frankfort community.
According to ABC News and corroborated by FOX 56, the Frankfort Police Department received a call reporting a shooting on the KSU campus. Officers arrived within four minutes, only to find that campus police had already apprehended the suspect. The suspect, identified as Jacob Lee Bard of Evansville, Indiana, was not a student at the university. He was immediately taken into custody and later booked into the Franklin County Regional Jail on charges of murder and first-degree assault.
Assistant Chief Scott Tracy of the Frankfort Police, speaking at a news conference that evening, emphasized the swift response: "There are no active safety concerns on campus at this time." He described the shooting as an "isolated incident," a sentiment echoed by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who stated, "This was not a mass shooting or a random incident based on what I've been told, and the suspected shooter is already in custody." Beshear added, "That means that while this was scary, there is no ongoing threat and I believe our families are safe." (NBC News, BBC)
The shooting occurred just outside Young Hall, as confirmed by city officials and reported by NPR. Both victims were students at Kentucky State University. One succumbed to their injuries, while the other was rushed to a local hospital in critical but stable condition. Out of respect for the victims and their families, the university has not released their names or additional medical information, but officials stated, "We are in close contact with the families and are providing every available support to them." (BBC, FOX 56)
The campus was immediately placed on lockdown, with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies responding to what was initially described as an "active aggressor" situation. The lockdown remained in place until authorities could confirm there was no ongoing threat. The university, which serves approximately 2,200 students and employs about 450 faculty and staff, canceled all classes, final exams, and campus activities for the remainder of the week. Students were given the option to return home, and counseling and support services were made available to students, faculty, and staff. (NPR, BBC, ABC News)
Kentucky State University President Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo addressed the media and campus community with a heavy heart. "Today, indeed, was a senseless tragedy," he said. "We're mourning the loss of one of our students." Dr. Akakpo, reflecting on the pain felt by families, added, "As a parent, I cannot imagine receiving the call I placed today to the parents. Our students need prayers. Kentucky State University needs prayers. I cannot thank our law enforcement enough." (FOX 56, ABC News, NBC News)
Governor Beshear, deeply affected by the day’s events, turned to social media to urge unity and support for those impacted. "Violence has no place in our commonwealth or country. Let's please pray for the families affected and for our KSU students. Let's also pray for a world where these things don't happen," he wrote. He further pledged, "I'll keep trying to build a Kentucky that we don't see arguments ended in violence." (BBC, NPR, ABC News)
Frankfort Police Assistant Chief Scott Tracy and other officials were quick to clarify that the incident was not a mass shooting. Preliminary investigations suggest the violence stemmed from a personal dispute, not a random act. "The shooting that took place today at Kentucky State University appears to be an isolated incident – not a mass shooting. The suspect has been arrested, and there is no ongoing threat," Governor Beshear reiterated on X, formerly Twitter. (FOX 56, ABC News)
While the motive behind the shooting remains under investigation, the rapid and coordinated response by campus police, Frankfort Police, and other agencies likely prevented further harm. Local, state, and federal authorities continue to collaborate on the ongoing investigation, determined to uncover all relevant details and ensure justice for the victims. (BBC, NPR, FOX 56)
The tragedy at Kentucky State University is not the first act of gun violence on campus this year. In August, two students were shot near Young Hall when shots were fired from a passing vehicle. One victim suffered minor injuries, while the other was seriously hurt. That earlier incident remains under investigation, and no further details have been released. (NPR, ABC News, Article 4)
In the wake of the December 9 shooting, the university has made mental health and support services a top priority. "Counseling and support services are being offered to students, faculty, and staff affected by the shooting," the university said in a statement. The administration has encouraged students to seek help and to look out for one another during this difficult time. (BBC, FOX 56, NPR)
Kentucky State University, founded in 1886, has long been a cornerstone of higher education in the state’s capital. The school’s leadership and community are now grappling with the aftermath of a tragedy that has left scars on its close-knit campus. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on healing, supporting those affected, and ensuring the safety of everyone at the university.
As the week draws to a close, classes remain canceled, and the campus is quieter than usual. The loss is palpable, but so too is a sense of resilience among students, faculty, and administrators. The community is united in grief, but also in hope that such violence will one day be a thing of the past.
