Grieving Parents Seek Justice Following Campus Brawl Tragedy, Targeting Student Linked to Shooter, Authorities Report

In a tragic turn of events, the parents of a young boy who tragically lost his life during a violent altercation and shooting at Kentucky State University earlier this month have found themselves under arrest in Indiana.

De’Jon Darrell Fox Sr., aged 38, and Chardnae Cleveland, aged 37, now face felony intimidation charges. This development has been widely reported by various media, including the local Fox affiliate WDRB.

The charges are linked to social media posts allegedly made by the couple, targeting the individual responsible for their son’s death. Notably, a grand jury recently decided not to indict the man involved in the incident.

According to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by reporters, Fox allegedly took to social media to threaten 48-year-old Jacob Bard with a post stating, “YOU DONTKNOW WHAT U TOOK FROM ME BUT YOU WILL FEEL THE SAME HURT I FEEL.”

Further intensifying the situation, another post, reportedly from a profile named “Capo Fatman Fox,” expressed a chilling sentiment: “I want his son dead just like mine.”

One particularly concerning message, which has since been removed, hinted at potential gang involvement with the words, “Might drive to Evansville today to see some vicelords!” Authorities have noted that the Vice Lords are recognized as a violent and organized criminal street gang.

On the afternoon of Dec. 9, Bard was on the Kentucky State University (KSU) campus in Frankfort to see his son. According to the Frankfort Police Department, he was there to make sure his child was safe.

Bard and his wife arrived at the school because their son had said he had been attacked by a group of people — some of them students — after he had reported a burglary, according to a recollection of events by Bard’s attorney, Jonathan Danks.

The parents spoke with university officials, but “became convinced that the university would not be able to maintain a safe environment for their son.”

They decided to move him out and bring him home.

However, as a campus police officer escorted them to their son’s dorm, they found a group waiting for them, with its numbers multiplying. Eventually, a mob of up to 30 people allegedly attacked Bard and his son, which led the father to open fire. He fatally shot one student, 19-year-old De’Jon Fox Jr., as well as another person who was taken to an area hospital in critical condition.

Bard pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and first-degree assault, alleging that he acted in self defense, and on Tuesday, a grand jury declined to indict him, citing a lack of evidence.

In comments to Law&Crime following this decision, Danks said his client received death threats following the shooting, which he suggested was the result of a lack of oversight by the university.

“Despite the many known identities of students and others involved in the vicious attack that day and the multiple armed attacks in the days prior, criminal charges have not been pursued against those individuals,” Danks wrote before the parents were charged. “The mother of the deceased student has openly called for the murder of Jacob’s son for revenge, requested the help of criminal gangs including the Vice Lords criminal gang.”

KSU said as part of a statement submitted to WDRB that it is cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation into the shooting continues.

“We remain centered on our students’ safety and well-being,” KSU President Koffi Akakpo, said. “The University is enhancing security measures and continuing internal reviews, while taking steps to help ensure our campus environment remains one where all can pursue their education safely. In accordance with University policies, when conduct within the University’s jurisdiction is found to violate our standards, appropriate action will be taken through established processes.”