Frankfort, Kentucky – An Indiana father accused of murder after shooting into a violent mob attacking his college-aged son on campus will not face prosecution, after a grand jury declined to indict him in a case that has raised serious questions about campus safety and delayed law-enforcement response.
Dorm Burglary Sparked Threats and Escalating Violence
The incident traces back to early October, when a dorm room housing one of Jacob Bard’s sons at Kentucky State University was burglarized. According to Bard’s attorney, Jonathan Danks, an organized group allegedly pulled a fire alarm and discharged fire extinguishers to disable security cameras before entering the room.
The victim, an 18-year-old student, reported the burglary to campus police. Shortly afterward, he allegedly began receiving explicit death threats, including messages stating “you will die.”
Danks said at least one person involved had previously had a firearm seized on campus but continued to boast about carrying a gun.
First Physical Attack Inside Dormitory
On December 6, the situation escalated dramatically. Between 15 and 20 people, many allegedly non-students wearing concealed face coverings, forced their way into the dorm room and violently assaulted the 18-year-old and three other students.
According to the attorney, the students were:
- Thrown to the ground
- Stomped and punched repeatedly
- Had personal and university property destroyed, including a school-issued laptop
The incident was reported to police and was allegedly captured on camera.
Armed Crowd Returns Days Later
Two days later, Danks said 20 to 30 people gathered outside the same dorm with baseball bats and other weapons, pounding on the door. When police approached, the crowd fled.
That evening, the student called his father in fear.
Jacob Bard and his wife immediately drove from Indiana to campus. Upon arrival around midnight, they learned their son and his friends had not eaten for days, afraid to leave their dorm rooms.
The next morning, the parents met with campus police and later with a university dean, but said the discussions did not ease their safety concerns.
Escort Turns Into Violent Ambush
The family decided to remove their son from campus permanently. While accompanied by a campus police officer to retrieve belongings, they encountered four individuals waiting outside the dorm.
According to Danks:
- One person involved in prior assaults began photographing Bard’s sons
- Additional individuals arrived, some wearing ski masks
- Tensions escalated rapidly
Fearing imminent violence, Bard armed himself with his wife’s legally owned firearm.
As the group reached the dorm entrance, the mob rushed past an armed campus officer and began violently attacking Bard’s family.
Shooting Occurred While Son Was Being Beaten
Bard and his family retreated approximately 40 feet, but were still being struck. One of Bard’s sons was slammed onto concrete, with multiple attackers beating his head against the pavement.
Danks said Bard attempted to pull attackers off his son but was struck himself.
Believing his son was in imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm, Bard fired his weapon, striking two individuals who were actively assaulting his child.
- De’Jon Fox, 19, was killed
- A second victim was hospitalized in critical condition and later stabilized
After the shooting, Bard immediately dropped the weapon, and his son was able to escape—though he was still kicked in the face as the violence ended.
Grand Jury Declines to Indict
Although Bard was initially charged with murder and assault, a Franklin County grand jury declined to indict him, finding insufficient evidence to proceed.
Commonwealth Attorney Larry Cleveland said he was conflicted by the case, stating that Bard appeared to meet the legal standard for defense of others, even though the outcome was tragic.
Bard’s bond will be repaid following the decision.
Attorney Questions Lack of Charges Against Mob
Danks criticized authorities for not charging members of the mob, despite what he described as known identities and documented prior attacks.
He said Bard and his family continue to receive credible death threats, and the sons are now living in an undisclosed location for safety.
University Responds
Kentucky State University said it is cooperating with law enforcement and reviewing the incident.
University President Koffi Akakpo stated that the school is enhancing security measures and conducting internal reviews to ensure student safety, adding that violations of university standards will be addressed through established processes.
Conclusion
The case highlights serious concerns about campus safety, response times, and the consequences of unresolved violence. While prosecutors determined the father acted within the law to protect his son, one student is dead, another was injured, and questions remain about how the situation was allowed to escalate so far.
If you have experienced or witnessed campus safety failures or delayed responses to threats, share your experiences in the comments below.
