FRANKFORT, Ky. — One student is dead and another is in critical condition after a shooting at Kentucky State University on Tuesday.
The shooting took place around 3:10 p.m. outside the Whitney M. Young Jr. residence hall, CNN reports. The suspect, 48-year-old Jacob Bard, is not a student at the school. According to his arrest citation, Bard was “involved in a physical altercation” on campus when he “produced a handgun and shot two other individuals.” The school was placed in lockdown.
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In a press conference Tuesday evening, Frankfort Assistant Chief of Police Scott Tracey said campus police officers responded to the shooting and arrested the suspect moments after the first gunfire. Frankfort police also arrived within four minutes of the first 911 call, he said. No officers fired their weapons.
Bard was booked into Franklin County Regional Jail and has been charged with murder and first-degree assault. He is set to appear in court for an arraignment hearing Thursday morning.
The names of the victims have not been released. One died at the hospital, and the other remains in critical but stable condition.
Kentucky State University Shooting Was Not Active Shooter Situation
University spokesperson Michael DeCourcy said the shooting, which happened during finals week, was not a random active shooter situation.
“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,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said in a video message. “That means that while this was scary, there is no ongoing threat and I believe our families are safe.”
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All classes, final exams, and campus activities have been suspended for the rest of the week.
“Students may return home if they choose,” the school said in a statement. “Additional guidance will be communicated as soon as possible.”
Counselling and support services are being offered to students, faculty, and staff affected by the shooting, the university’s website says.
