The grand jury declined to indict Jacob Lee Bard in a Dec. 9 Kentucky State University shooting that left one student dead and another critically injured. Bard's attorneys say he shot in defense of his son as a group of roughly 20–30 people attacked the family while they were moving out of a dorm. Court records show Bard's $100,000 bail was posted Dec. 23 and the criminal case has been closed. Kentucky State University said the decision does not lessen the community's pain and reaffirmed its commitment to campus safety.
Grand Jury Declines To Indict Father In Deadly Kentucky State University Shooting
Grand jury declines to indict man in deadly Kentucky State University shooting
A grand jury has declined to indict Jacob Lee Bard, a father of two Kentucky State University students, in connection with a Dec. 9 on-campus shooting that left one student dead and another critically injured.
Defense attorney Scott Danks announced on Facebook that the grand jury chose not to return charges against Bard, who was released from custody after his $100,000 bail was posted on Dec. 23. Danks and Bard's legal team maintain Bard fired in defense of his son while a large group allegedly attacked the family.
"GRAND JURY FINDS JACOB ACTED IN SELF DEFENSE AND REFUSES TO INDICT," Danks wrote. "He's out of jail and the case is over!"
Court records cited by WDKY-TV indicate Bard's bond was posted at approximately 9:20 a.m. on Dec. 23; the outlet reported the criminal case is now closed and the bond will be refunded.
Jacob Lee Bard, 48, was formally charged with murder and first-degree assault in the fatal shooting at Kentucky State University on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Bard, of Evansville, Indiana, is the parent of another student at the school.
Bard's attorneys say the family — accompanied by two armed campus police officers — were moving his younger son out of a dormitory when a group of people wearing masks and hoods rushed out and attacked them. The lawyers contend 20 to 30 people participated in the assault and that one of Bard's sons was repeatedly struck, including having his head forced onto the pavement.
Attorneys also allege the violent threats began after Bard's son reported a dorm-room burglary to campus police. They say the son remains at an undisclosed location because of ongoing death threats, and that the family had decided to withdraw both sons from the university following several earlier violent incidents targeting them.
Kentucky State University told The Associated Press the grand jury decision "does not lessen the pain our community continues to feel, nor does it change our priorities." The university said its focus remains on supporting students and ensuring the campus is "a safe place to learn, live, and work."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
