Student Killed, Another Injured in Kentucky State University Dorm Shooting
Fatal Shooting Reported at Kentucky State University Residence Hall
At least one student was killed and another student was critically wounded on Tuesday in a shooting at a residence hall at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Officials stated that a suspect connected to the dormitory shooting was taken into custody on Tuesday. Authorities said the suspect is not a student at Kentucky State University. The university is located in Frankfort, the capital city of Kentucky, and its campus includes a cluster of dormitories where the incident occurred.
Police Response and Safety Status
Scott Tracy, assistant chief of police for Frankfort, said during a news conference that police responded swiftly to the shooting at the residence hall. He said Frankfort police believe the incident to be isolated and reported that there were no active safety concerns on campus at that time.
Video from the scene showed multiple police vehicles positioned outside several dormitory buildings, with crime scene tape placed around a courtyard area at Kentucky State University.
Victims and University Support
According to the university, one student who was shot at the residence hall is in critical condition but is stable. The school has not immediately released the names of the students who were shot. University officials said they are in close contact with the families of the victims and are providing support to them. The school stated that counseling and support services are available on campus.
Official Statements on the Incident
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said in a video message posted on X that the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident and that there was no ongoing threat. During a news conference on Tuesday evening, Kentucky State University president Koffi C. Akakpo said the university was mourning the loss of one of its students.
Impact on Classes and Campus Schedule
The university announced that classes, final exams, and campus activities at Kentucky State University have been canceled for the rest of the week following the shooting. The fall term had been scheduled to end on Friday, according to the school website. In a statement, the school said that students may return home if they choose and that additional guidance will be communicated as soon as possible.
Previous Shooting Near Same Residence Hall
Officials said the dormitory area where Tuesday’s shooting took place was the site of another shooting on August 17. In that earlier incident, someone fired multiple shots from a vehicle near the same residence hall, striking two people who the university said were not students. Frankfort police reported that one victim in the August 17 shooting was treated for minor injuries and a second victim sustained serious injuries. The dorm and at least one vehicle were damaged by gunfire in that earlier event.
About Kentucky State University
Kentucky State University is a public historically Black university with about 2,200 students. Lawmakers authorized the school’s creation in 1886. The campus sits about 2 miles, or 3.2 kilometers, east of the Kentucky state capitol building in Frankfort.