Crime
Reports of shooting at Alcorn State University in Lorman
Authorities in Mississippi are responding to two developing shooting incidents — one reported on the campus of Alcorn State University and another near the Jackson State University (JSU) stadium — prompting heightened security measures and large-scale law enforcement response.
Alcorn State University officials issued an emergency alert Saturday evening confirming a shooting on campus.
Students, faculty, and staff were instructed to immediately seek shelter and remain in a secure location until further notice.
“A shooting has been reported on campus. If you are on campus, seek shelter immediately. Do not leave your secure location until given an all-clear by Campus Police,”
the university statement read.
Campus Police, along with local and state law enforcement agencies, are on scene investigating the circumstances surrounding the reported gunfire.
Officials have not yet released details regarding potential victims or suspects.
Meanwhile, Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones confirmed a separate shooting occurred near the tailgate section of the JSU stadium on West Street, where large crowds had gathered for events associated with the university.
According to Sheriff Jones, a child was struck by gunfire and was transported by Jackson Police Department (JPD) officers to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) for treatment.
The child’s condition has not been disclosed.
“There’s been a shooting near the tailgate section of the JSU stadium on West St. A child has been injured and transported to UMMC by JPD officers in a patrol vehicle. Capitol PD and JPD are investigating,”
Jones stated.
At this time, no suspect information has been released, and authorities have urged the public to stay clear of the affected areas.
Law enforcement has instructed all attendees at the JSU stadium, including those in the tailgate area and nearby events, to immediately clear the premises to allow investigators to secure the scene and collect evidence.
Both incidents remain active investigations, and officials have emphasized that public safety remains their top priority.
Additional updates will be provided as more verified information becomes available.
Crime
Attorneys Argue Jacob Bard Actions in Deadly Kentucky State University Shooting Were Legally Justified
Attorneys representing Jacob Bard, the man accused in a deadly shooting at Kentucky State University, contend that his actions were legally justified and undertaken in defense of his family amid what they describe as a violent and uncontrolled situation on campus.
In a press release issued Monday afternoon, Bard’s legal team from the Indiana-based law firm Danks & Danks asserted that Bard “was completely justified under the law in his use of deadly force.”
Bard is accused of fatally shooting one Kentucky State University student and wounding another during an incident at a campus dormitory.
According to the attorneys’ statement, Bard traveled to Kentucky State University after his younger son reported being attacked on multiple occasions.
The release alleges that on Monday, December 8, a group of approximately 20 to 30 individuals gathered outside the son’s dormitory, some allegedly armed, and began beating on the door. Campus police were reportedly called to respond to the disturbance.
The following morning, Bard and his wife met with Kentucky State University police. While the attorneys stated that officers appeared sincere in their efforts, they claimed it was evident to the family that campus police were “ill-prepared to deal with the out-of-control and violent environment.”
The legal team further alleges that both the university and its police department failed to adequately address what they described as multiple armed and violent felonies against Bard’s sons, ages 18 and 19, as well as other students in the days preceding the shooting.
Those alleged incidents included burglaries and armed assaults.
Later that morning, the family attended a meeting at Young Hall with campus police and a university dean.
According to the release, the meeting left the family convinced that the university would not be able to maintain a safe environment, prompting them to begin removing the son’s belongings from the dormitory.
When the family returned to the residence hall, the attorneys claim that individuals previously involved in the alleged assaults were present, despite assurances they would not be allowed inside.
The statement further alleges that those individuals photographed the family and made verbal threats.
The attorneys contend that, even with two armed Kentucky State University police officers present, a group of 20 to 30 individuals gathered in the dormitory lobby and “violently and viciously attacked” Bard’s son and family members.
According to the release, Bard’s son was slammed into the concrete floor and beaten by multiple people, and the officer on scene allegedly lost control of the situation.
“In the chaos,” the attorneys wrote, Bard attempted to pull attackers off his son but was struck himself. Believing his son to be in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury, Bard then drew his firearm and shot two individuals whom the attorneys say were actively assaulting his son.
The legal team also stated that no charges have been filed against others allegedly involved in the confrontation and claimed the Bard family has continued to receive death threats.
The release further alleges that the mother of the deceased student has publicly called for retaliation against Bard’s son and sought assistance from criminal groups—claims that have not been independently verified by authorities.
The case against Bard was presented to a grand jury on December 16.
During a previous court hearing, a detective testified that at least one video reviewed by investigators did not show the shooting victims assaulting Bard’s son.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not issued a final determination regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting.