Jacob Bard in KSU Shooting: Bond, Self-Defense, and Grand Jury

Jacob Lee Bard, a 48-year-old father from Evansville, Indiana, shot and killed a Kentucky State University student on December 9, 2025, while trying to move his sons out of a campus dormitory during a violent group confrontation. He was initially charged with murder and first-degree assault, but two weeks later a Franklin County grand jury declined to indict him, concluding he had acted in defense of others. The Jacob Bard KSU shooting case closed on the criminal side on December 23, 2025, the same day he posted bond.

What Led Up to December 9

Bard’s two sons, ages 18 and 19, were students and baseball players living in Whitney M. Young Jr. Residence Hall. According to attorneys for the family, trouble had been building at the dorm throughout the fall semester. On October 11, the younger son’s room was burglarized, and he allegedly received death threats afterward.¹

The defense firm Danks & Danks said that on December 6, a group of 15 to 20 masked individuals broke into the son’s room, threw students to the ground, and destroyed property. On December 8, a group armed with baseball bats reportedly gathered outside the dorm room door.² Bard’s attorneys later said university police had failed to address “multiple armed and violent felonies” against the sons and other students.³

Jacob Bard and his wife drove to Frankfort to withdraw their son from the university. Before heading to the dorm, they contacted campus police and student affairs to request an escort.⁴

The Confrontation and Shooting

On the morning of December 9, the family approached Young Hall with campus personnel. According to the defense, a crowd of 20 to 30 people, some in ski masks and some reportedly not KSU students, rushed out of the dormitory lobby and attacked the family, slamming Bard’s son onto the concrete and beating him on the ground.⁵ Bard was reportedly kicked in the face trying to intervene.³

Frankfort Police Detective Laura Marco described the encounter somewhat differently, testifying that the two sides “clashed” after a door was opened and that Bard’s son had been involved in an elevator altercation earlier that day.¹

During the confrontation, Bard armed himself with his wife’s firearm and fired, striking two people. De’Jon Darrell Fox Jr., a 19-year-old sophomore business administration major from Indianapolis, was killed.⁶ A second student was critically injured and later released from the hospital.⁷ Bard surrendered his weapon and was taken into custody at the scene.²

Charges and Bond

Bard was booked on murder, a Class A felony, and first-degree assault, a Class B felony.⁸ He appeared via Zoom before Franklin District Court Judge Chris Olds on December 11 and pleaded not guilty.⁹

Prosecutors asked for a $500,000 full-cash bond. The defense asked for less than $50,000. Judge Olds set bond at $1 million full cash.⁸ Bard’s family eventually posted 10 percent, or $100,000, and he was released from the Franklin County Regional Jail on the morning of December 23.⁷ Public defender Mark Hall represented him at arraignment,¹⁰ and the Evansville firm Danks & Danks, led by Jonathan Danks, later took over the defense.

Why the Grand Jury Declined to Indict

On the afternoon of December 23, hours after Bard posted bond, a 12-member Franklin County grand jury returned a “no true bill” on both the murder and assault charges. The jurors deliberated for about three hours after reviewing security footage and hearing testimony.¹¹

Commonwealth’s Attorney Larry Cleveland said he presented the “entire case.” Legal observer Daniel Whitley noted that Cleveland allowed all available evidence to go before the jury rather than only material favorable to the prosecution.¹² Danks cited video evidence that he said showed nearly 30 people attacking the Bards immediately before the shooting. Cleveland said he was “not particularly surprised” by the outcome, adding that while the legal standard for “defense of others” could be met, he remained conflicted because of the loss of life.⁷

The decision rested on Kentucky’s self-defense statutes. KRS 503.050 permits deadly physical force when a person believes it is necessary to prevent death, serious physical injury, kidnapping, or a felony involving the use of force, and explicitly states that a person “does not have a duty to retreat prior to the use of deadly physical force.”¹³ KRS 503.055 adds that a person not engaged in unlawful activity and lawfully present may “stand their ground and meet force with force, including deadly force,” if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to themselves or another. KRS 503.070 extends those protections to the defense of others.

Danks framed the law directly, saying “someone can use deadly force to protect themselves or another person if the threat of great bodily harm or death is present,”⁷ and after the ruling declared that Bard had “lawfully acted in self-defense” and that “this matter is now closed.”¹⁴ Bard’s $100,000 bond was ordered refunded.¹¹

What Remains Open

The grand jury’s refusal to indict ended the immediate criminal case against Bard, but not the broader investigation. Commonwealth’s Attorney Cleveland said other participants in the altercation could still face charges.⁷ Legal observers also noted that because Kentucky has no statute of limitations on murder, the case could theoretically be presented to a different grand jury in the future. The outcome also does not block civil litigation by the victims’ families or by Bard against the university.¹²

Threats Against the Bard Family

In the days after the shooting, Fox Jr.’s parents were charged with intimidation, a Level 6 felony, in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Police pointed to social media posts they interpreted as threats against Bard. De’Jon Darrell Fox Sr., 38, allegedly wrote, “You don’t know what u took from me but you will feel the same hurt I feel.” Chardnae Cleveland, 37, allegedly wrote, “I want his son dead just like mine,” and said she planned to drive to Evansville to meet with members of a street gang where Bard lived.¹⁵ Both posted cash bonds of about $1,500. Fox Sr. missed his initial court date, and a judge issued a no-bond warrant; he was taken into custody on December 29, 2025.¹⁶

The Bard family relocated to an undisclosed location and put additional security measures in place.¹⁴

1
Fox 56 News. Attorney Says Kentucky State University Shooting Was Completely Justified
2
Danks & Danks Press Release. Bard Press Release
3
WLKY. Kentucky State University Shooting Suspect Out of Jail on Bond
4
Campus Safety Magazine. Grand Jury Declines to Indict Jacob Bard in KSU Shooting Case
5
Court TV. Grand Jury Declines to Indict Gunman in Deadly Shooting on KSU Campus
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WDRB. Grand Jury Chooses Not to Indict Suspect in Fatal Kentucky State University Shooting
7
WKYT. Grand Jury Declines Indict Man Deadly KSU Shooting
8
State Journal. Judge Sets Alleged KSU Shooter’s Bond at $1M
9
Louisville Courier-Journal. KSU Shooting Updates: Jacob Lee Bard Court Appearance, Plea
10
LPM. Suspect in Kentucky State University Shooting Pleads Not Guilty
11
Fox 56 News. Kentucky State University Parent Charged in Shooting Posts $100K Bond
12
WKYT. Grand Jury Declines Indict Man Deadly Kentucky State University Shooting
13
Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. KRS 503.050
14
14 News. Grand Jury Declines Indict Jacob Bard Murder KSU Shooting
15
WTHR. Indianapolis Parents Kentucky State Shooting Victim Facing Intimidation Charges
16
WKYT. Parents KSU Shooting Victim Arrested Indiana