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