In Loving Memory of Dejon Fox: Kentucky State University Mourns a Tragic Loss
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky State University (KSU) community is in shock and mourning following the tragic loss of 19-year-old Dejon Fox, a student whose life was cut far too short in a violent campus shooting on Tuesday afternoon. Dejon was one of two students shot during the incident, which occurred near Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall on the university’s south campus.
According to the Frankfort Police Department, officers responded to reports of an active aggressor on campus at approximately 3:10 p.m., arriving within just four minutes. Authorities quickly secured the area and apprehended the suspect, identified as 48-year-old Jacob Lee Bard of Evansville, Indiana. Bard, who is not a KSU student, has been charged with murder and first-degree assault and is currently being held in the Franklin County Regional Jail.
Tragically, Dejon Fox succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a grieving family, friends, and a campus community struggling to process the shock and sorrow of such a senseless act. Another student, also injured in the shooting, remains hospitalized in stable but critical condition, receiving ongoing medical care.
University officials and local authorities have expressed deep condolences to the victims’ families and have emphasized the importance of community support in the wake of this tragedy. “Our hearts go out to Dejon’s family, friends, and fellow students,” a university spokesperson said. “This is a devastating loss, and we are committed to providing all necessary resources to help our community heal.”
Dejon Fox was remembered by classmates and peers as a vibrant and promising young man, full of life and potential. Fellow students have described him as kind, ambitious, and deeply involved in campus life, someone whose presence brought joy to those around him. Tributes have begun to pour in on social media, with friends sharing memories and expressing their heartbreak over his untimely death.
The KSU community is coming together during this period of mourning, offering counseling, support services, and a space to grieve. Memorials and vigils are expected in the coming days as the university seeks to honor Dejon’s memory and support those affected by this tragic event.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with information to come forward to assist in the ongoing inquiry. Meanwhile, students and faculty alike are grappling with the reality that a young life was lost on a campus that is meant to be a safe place for learning, growth, and community.
Dejon Fox’s life, though tragically short, left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. His memory will live on in the hearts of his loved ones, friends, and the broader KSU family, a reminder of the bright spirit that was taken too soon.