‘Students performing CPR’: Witnesses describe horrific scene of deadly KSU shooting

The grey skies and fairly empty campus reflect the somber tone in Frankfort as Kentucky’s largest HBCU mourns.

Tuesday’s double shooting outside a Kentucky State University residence hall shook students like Anthony Jackson, Jr. to the core

“Just the scene of me seeing a student performing CPR on another student, which was hard to see,” said AJ.

AJ’s image of horror from the senseless violence was met with heroism as students sprang into action, helping two of their own who were shot.

“Five students literally carried another student out of Young Hall to the EMS doors, which to me is a very heroic display by those students,” he said.

Even without personally knowing the student victims identified as De'Jon Fox, who was killed, and the surviving young man whose name has not yet been released, the Thorobreds at KSU are family.

It’s why the hurt of this tragedy is also felt by alumni.

“I'm emotional because we can't use these moments to backpedal and highlight the negativity,” said KSU alumna Ariel Thompson. “Kentucky State University has been a part of history, and it will continue to be a part of history, not just because of what the school is, but because of what the students are.”

Thompson, a 2019 grad, reflects on her incomparable HBCU experience and involvement in student government, pageants and band dance.

She urges current students to begin to heal, honor the victims, and charges all Thorobreds to be better.

“This is a time for reflection. This is a time for us to look at how can we be better to each other. How can we, as alumni, serve these students? How can we combat this type of situation so this never comes to our front door again?” said Thompson.

This, while also remembering what their beloved KSU stands for and not allowing this unfortunate moment to define its rich history and legacy.

“I've made brothers, family, friendships that have lasted a lifetime and learned thousands of things just being at this school,” said Jackson.