A grand jury’s controversial decision not to indict a suspect in a Kentucky State University shooting has led to an unexpected and rare legal development: the victim’s grieving parents have been charged with intimidation. De’Jon Darrell Fox and Chardnae Cleveland, whose son was killed in the campus incident, allegedly made online threats against the accused shooter following the grand jury’s decision. This case highlights the tension between a family’s emotional quest for justice and the strict boundaries of the legal system.
Story Highlights
- Parents charged with intimidation after social media threats against the shooting suspect.
- Kentucky State University shooting leaves one student dead and another injured.
- Grand jury decision not to indict suspect sparks controversy and parental outrage.
- Case highlights tension between grieving families and legal boundaries.
Parents Charged with Intimidation
On December 26, 2025, De’Jon Darrell Fox and Chardnae Cleveland, parents of a Kentucky State University shooting victim, were charged with intimidation. Their son, 19-year-old De’Jon Darrell Fox, Jr., was tragically killed on December 9, 2025, in a shooting incident at a campus residence hall. The parents allegedly made online threats against Jacob Bard, the Evansville native accused of the shooting but not indicted by a Kentucky grand jury.
The charges highlight a rare legal situation where the parents of a victim are accused of felonious behavior following a decision not to prosecute the alleged shooter. This case has drawn attention to the legal boundaries that grieving families must navigate, especially when emotions run high and justice seems elusive. Authorities in Vanderburgh County, Indiana, where the parents reside, decided to file these charges, emphasizing the seriousness of such threats.
After DeJohn Fox Jr. was killed, his parents were arrested on felony intimidation charges for threatening social media posts against the accused shooter. One post: "I want his son dead just like mine." #TrueCrime #Justice pic.twitter.com/bef8z8USBG
— Mark Stevenson (@m_stevenson78) December 28, 2025
Background on the Incident
The events leading to these charges began with a tragic shooting at Kentucky State University, a historically Black institution in Frankfort, Kentucky. The shooting resulted in the death of Fox Jr. and left another student critically injured. Despite the severity of the incident, a Kentucky grand jury declined to indict Jacob Bard, the primary suspect, on December 26, 2025. This decision was met with frustration and anger from the victim’s family, leading to the alleged threats made by the parents.
The case has raised questions about the role of social media in legal proceedings, as the threats were reportedly made online. This situation underscores the importance of understanding the legal implications of online speech, particularly in high-stress, emotionally charged situations. It also highlights the delicate balance between seeking justice for a loved one and adhering to legal constraints.
Implications and Public Reaction
The charges against the parents carry significant implications both legally and socially. In the short term, Fox and Cleveland face potential jail time and legal battles as they navigate the intimidation charges. Long-term, this case could set a precedent for how the legal system handles threats made by grieving families on social media. It also raises concerns about the public’s trust in the justice system when legal outcomes appear unsatisfactory to those directly affected by crime.
Public reaction has been mixed, with some sympathizing with the parents’ plight and others emphasizing the need for law and order. The case has sparked broader discussions about the effectiveness of the justice system, particularly in handling cases involving campus crime and the safety of students at historically Black colleges and universities.
The broader implications of this case extend to discussions about gun crime, campus safety, and the role of social media in criminal investigations. As the legal proceedings continue, the case will likely remain a focal point for debates on these critical issues, reflecting ongoing societal tensions between individual rights and public safety.
Watch the report: Parents of KSU shooting victim arrested
Sources:
- Parents of student killed in college shooting facing intimidation charges
- Parents of student killed in Kentucky State shooting arrested
- Parents of student killed at Ky. State University facing charges | Court TV
- Parents of KSU shooting victim arrested in Indiana
