Parents of KSU shooting victim arrested
EVANSVILLE, In. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Evansville police are investigating a series of social media posts they say contain threats following a fatal shooting earlier this month at Kentucky State University.
According to court documents, a shooting was reported Dec. 9 on the KSU campus after a violent altercation. Police say De’jon Darrell Fox, Jr. was fatally shot by Evansville resident Jacob Bard. Another person was also shot and critically injured. Reports indicate Bard’s son was attacked by several people during the incident, which investigators described as a mob-style assault.
Due to concerns about possible retaliation, Evansville police implemented extra patrols near local addresses connected to those involved.
According to the affidavit, investigators say threatening statements later appeared on Facebook from family members of the victim. On Dec. 10 and 11, posts attributed to De’jon Darrell Fox, Sr. were reported to police and preserved as evidence. Authorities said the comments were perceived as threats toward Bard and his family.
Additional posts surfaced Dec. 19 and 20 from a Facebook account investigators identified as belonging to Chardnae Cleveland, the mother of Fox, Jr. Police said the posts referenced violent retaliation and mentioned the Vice Lords, a criminal street gang known for organized crime and violence. While some posts were later deleted, screenshots were saved as part of the investigation.
Court records note that police consider the statements concerning and pose the potential risk of retaliatory violence. The investigation is being handled by the Evansville Police Department and remains ongoing.
No new charges have been announced at this time.
