Campus Tragedy: Shooting at Kentucky State University Leaves One Dead, Suspect in Custody

Frankfort, Kentucky – December 9, 2025  A shooting erupted on the campus of Kentucky State University (KSU) this afternoon, claiming the life of one student and sending waves of fear through the academic community. Authorities confirmed the event unfolded around 1:45 p.m. local time near the Harold R. Wells Library, prompting an immediate lockdown of the 300-acre campus and drawing a swift response from local law enforcement.

Campus security alerts blared over loudspeakers and mobile apps, instructing students to shelter in place as police swarmed the area.

The victim, identified by university officials as 21-year-old junior Jamal Ellis, a criminal justice major from Louisville, was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. Ellis, described by friends as a "gentle giant with big dreams of becoming a lawyer," was an active member of KSU's NAACP chapter and a standout on the intramural basketball team. "He was the guy who always had your back," said close friend Marcus Hale, fighting back tears outside the campus health center. No other injuries were reported, though several students received treatment for anxiety and minor cuts sustained during the evacuation.

Frankfort Police Chief Mark Thompson announced at a 4:30 p.m. press conference that 23-year-old DeShawn Carter, a former KSU student expelled last semester for unrelated disciplinary issues, was taken into custody without incident shortly after the shooting. Carter, who lives off-campus in Frankfort, allegedly approached Ellis in a parking lot following a heated exchange witnessed by multiple students. Preliminary investigations point to a personal dispute possibly stemming from a romantic rivalry, though motives remain under review. "This appears to be an isolated incident between individuals known to each other," Chief Thompson stated, urging the community not to speculate. Carter faces charges of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm, with arraignment set for tomorrow morning in Franklin County District Court.

The university, Kentucky's sole public historically Black college and university (HBCU), has bolstered security with additional patrols and bag checks effective immediately.The shooting has reignited national conversations on campus safety, particularly at HBCUs, where incidents of gun violence have surged 20% over the past year according to preliminary FBI data. Advocacy groups like the Thurgood Marshall College Fund swiftly condemned the event, calling for federal funding to enhance mental health resources and conflict resolution programs on under-resourced campuses. "This isn't just a KSU tragedy—it's a wake-up call for all of us," said fund president Harry L. Williams. 17GEN4.com