FRANKFORT, KY — The December 9 shooting at Kentucky State University (KSU), which resulted in the death of 19-year-old student De’Jon Fox Jr. and left another student injured outside Whitney M. Young Hall, followed several reports of assault and harassment at the same location.
The shooting has prompted scrutiny of the university’s campus safety protocols and legal obligations under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.
Timeline of Events Leading to the December 9 Shooting at KSU
Throughout the fall semester, KSU’s campus experienced a notable increase in reported security concerns, according to the Lexington Herald Leader. Between August and December, the university’s crime log recorded at least five reports of assault, five reports of theft, and two reports of harassment at Young Hall alone.
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Following these incident reports, Jacob Bard, 48, and his wife arrived on campus to remove their sons from the dorm, after telling KSU officials about their sons’ safety fears.
According to police testimony and Bard’s defense attorney, another group “essentially attacked” the Bard family – which was being escorted by campus police — as they attempted to remove their sons from the residence hall. Bard engaged in a physical struggle with two students near the elevators at Young Hall. The confrontation then spilled outside, intensifying the chaos. At that point, Bard opened fire.
Police arrested Bard for shooting Fox and the other student, but a grand jury opted not to indict him, ruling there was insufficient evidence.
KSU Clery Act Compliance and Crime Log Issues
The Clery Act mandates that universities maintain an up-to-date, publicly accessible campus crime log and promptly notify the campus community of serious safety threats. However, reports indicate that KSU had not updated its crime log since October 28, 2025. The university did not post entries documenting crimes reported through December 27 until a media inquiry from the Herald Leader in late December.
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The lack of timely updates raises questions regarding KSU’s compliance with the Clery Act and the law’s mandates for regular reporting and transparent communication.
Victim’s Parents Arrested for Intimidation
In another development related to the case, authorities in Indiana arrested the parents of the deceased victim for alleged intimidation, reports USA Today. Police charged Chardnae Cleveland and De’Jon Darrell Fox with intimidation on Dec. 23.
Authorities allege that Fox and Cleveland posted comments on Facebook that “were perceived as threats” against Bard and his family.
