The sad story of the shooting at Kentucky State University has become more complicated. After 19-year-old De’Jon Fox Jr. was killed on the Frankfort campus, his parents were arrested in Indiana. This situation adds more trouble to a very sad event. It has scared the students at KSU and made people worry about campus safety and the dangers of making threats online.
The Arrest of De’Jon Darrell Fox Sr. and Chardnae Cleveland
In December 2025, police in Indiana arrested De’Jon Darrell Fox Sr. (38) and Chardnae Cleveland (37). They are the parents of the student from Indianapolis who died. Now, they are facing serious criminal charges for intimidation.
The police arrested them because of messages they sent online to Jacob Bard. Jacob Bard is the man who was first accused of the shooting. The police said that even though the parents are very sad about losing their son, their online messages were not just about sadness. Instead, the messages were illegal threats.
Social Media Threats and Allegations of Parental Intimidation
According to court records and news reports, the charges come from violent posts made on Facebook. Investigators say that the father, using a fake name online, posted that the shooter would feel the same pain he felt. The prosecutor’s office shared some of the scary messages:
- Seeking Revenge: The mother, Chardnae Cleveland, allegedly wrote that she wanted the shooter’s son to die just like her son.
- Gang Mentions: She also allegedly wrote about meeting with a violent gang called the Vice Lords.
- Living in Fear: Because of these threats, the Bard family and his sons (who were also KSU students) had to go into hiding to stay safe.
Context of the Kentucky State University Shooting
The shooting happened on December 9, 2025, near a building called M. Young Jr. Hall at Kentucky State University. Jacob Lee Bard (48) was originally charged with murder. He shot two people during a fight while he was visiting the campus.
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The Grand Jury’s Decision
A few days before the parents were arrested, a grand jury decided not to charge Jacob Bard with a crime. The evidence showed that Bard was acting in self-defense. He was trying to help his son move out of a dorm when a “mob” of 20 to 30 people, some wearing masks, started attacking his son. Bard fired his gun to protect his child.
Legal Status and Campus Safety Concerns
After a court hearing on December 26, both parents were let out of jail after paying money for bail. However, they still have to go to court for the threat charges.
This case shows how dangerous it can be when people use social media to make threats after a tragedy. Kentucky State University leaders say they are working hard to keep the campus safe, but students and teachers are still very worried because this was the second shooting near the dorms in only six months.
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources. Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets.