One student has died and another is stable but in critical condition following the shooting at Kentucky State University (KSU), officials said.
A suspect, not a student at the school, is in custody after an incident on the Frankfurt campus, the city police department said.
KSU was placed on lockdown Tuesday afternoon as authorities said they were responding to an “active aggressor.” The incident occurred in a residence hall on the south side of campus, KSU said.
Police said the campus shooting was isolated and not widespread.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear was the first to share the news, writing on X: “Violence has no place in our Commonwealth or country. Let us please pray for the affected families and for our KSU students.
“Let's also pray for a world where things like this don't happen. Thank you to our brave law enforcement who acted quickly to protect our people.”
The Frankfort Police Department, KSU Campus Police and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office responded to the shooting.
At a news conference Tuesday night, Frankfort Assistant Police Chief Scott Tracy said campus police took “swift action” and arrested the suspect before authorities arrived on the scene.
Local, state and federal agencies are currently assisting in the investigation, he said.
“Out of respect for students and their families, the university will not be releasing personally identifiable or additional medical information at this time,” KSU’s website states.
“We are in close contact with the families and are providing them with all the support we can.”
The university has canceled classes, final exams and on-campus events for the rest of the week and is offering students the opportunity to return home, according to its website.
Speaking at a press conference, HSU President Koffi K. Akakpo called the shooting a “senseless tragedy.”
“As a parent, I can’t imagine getting the call I sent to parents today,” he said.
Counseling and support services are being offered to students, faculty and staff affected by the shooting, the university said on its website.
KSU's campus covers approximately 1,000 acres and is home to more than 2,200 students and 450 faculty and staff, according to its website.
