FRANKFORT, Ky. — One student was killed and another critically wounded in a shooting at a residence hall at Kentucky State University on Tuesday, and authorities arrested a suspect who is not enrolled at the school, officials said.
The shooting took place about 3 p.m. and was described by Frankfort Assistant Police Chief Scott Tracy as an “isolated incident.” Police said they responded quickly and that there is no ongoing safety threat on campus. Officials have not publicly stated a motive.
Frankfort police identified the suspect as Jacob Lee Bard of Evansville, Indiana. Bard was booked on charges of murder and first-degree assault. Court and jail records did not list an attorney for him, and local public defenders and prosecutors had not responded to requests for information about his representation.
Video from WLKY-TV in Louisville showed multiple police vehicles and crime scene tape near a cluster of residence halls. The shooting occurred at Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall, the university said.
One student shot in the dormitory later died; a second student was reported in critical but stable condition. The university did not immediately release the students’ names and said it is in close contact with their families and providing available support, including counseling services.
Gov. Andy Beshear posted a video on X saying the incident “appears to be an isolated incident” and urging thoughts and prayers for the affected families and the KSU community. University President Koffi C. Akakpo called the event a “senseless tragedy” and said the administration is mourning the loss.
In response to the shooting, Kentucky State canceled classes, final exams and campus activities for the remainder of the week. The fall term was scheduled to end Friday. The school said students may return home if they choose and that it will provide additional guidance as soon as possible.
The shooting is the second incident in recent months near the same residence hall. On Aug. 17, shots were fired from a vehicle in that area, striking two people the university said were not students; one suffered minor injuries and another serious injuries. That earlier incident damaged the dorm and at least one vehicle.
Kentucky State University is a public historically Black university with about 2,200 students. The campus sits roughly 2 miles east of the state Capitol building.