The distraught parents of a Belmont University freshman who died after being hit by a stray bullet fired by a career criminal have spoken out, saying a piece of them has been taken.
Jillian Ludwig, an 18-year-old from New Jersey, was shot in the back of the head Tuesday around 2:30 p.m. while walking along a trail in a park in Nashville, Tennessee.
Police said she died overnight at Vanderbilt University Medical Center after clinging to life for more than a day.
Ludwig’s parents revealed how their daughter’s tragic death has broken their hearts, as her mother – Jessica Ludwig – told Good Morning America‘a piece of my heart that was taken from me’.
Her father Matt Ludwig said the death was difficult to comprehend because “she was doing so well and doing so well in so many ways… in every way just two days ago.”
Jillian Ludwig, an 18-year-old from New Jersey, was shot in the back of the head Tuesday around 2:30 p.m. while walking along a trail in a Nashville park.
Shaquille Taylor, 29, was arrested in connection with the shooting and is charged with aggravated assault and tampering with evidence and was held on a $280,000 bond.
Ludwig studied music business at Belmont University in Nashville
Their daughter’s alleged killer – Shaquille Taylor, 29 – was arrested in connection with the shooting and is charged with aggravated assault and tampering with evidence, and was held on a $280,000 bond.
Taylor has a lengthy criminal history and was previously accused of shooting into a car in 2021 while a three-year-old and one-year-old were in the backseat.
“A repeat criminal who is believed to have mental health issues should be treated in a facility or in some other way that addresses those issues,” Matt Ludwig argued. “The answer should not be to release him back onto the streets.”
Taylor was originally charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and admitted to the crime, but Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton dismissed the case because Taylor was deemed incompetent.
Ludwig’s parents struggle to come to terms with their daughter’s death, especially given the unjust circumstances.
Jessica Ludwig dedicated heartfelt words to her late daughter: “You are just so loved and so missed. And we are so proud of you and you have put a lot of life into your 18 years.”
Ludwig is a New Jersey native and graduated from Wall High School in Monmouth County
Matt Ludwig said his daughter was “thriving so well and doing so well in so many ways… in every way just two days ago.”
Greg Jones, president of Belmont University, said she was “known for her love of music” and “could often be found at concerts, encouraging fellow musicians and using music as a way to connect with those around her to’.
Ludwig is a New Jersey native and graduated from Wall High School in Monmouth County. She studied music business at Belmont University in Nashville.
Greg Jones, president of Belmont University, said she was “known for her love of music” and “could often be found at concerts, encouraging fellow musicians and using music as a way to connect with those around her to.’
Jones said, “This is a lot for all of us to process,” he told students in a statement Thursday. “We are now struggling with sadness, anger, fear and a strong sense of fear in the face of senseless violence.
“We will deepen our ongoing conversations with Metro officials to enhance safety measures in areas near Belmont, and our Campus Security Team remains committed to the safety and security of our campus.”
“We will work with campus leaders and area pastors to organize additional resources to assist our community in the coming days and throughout the weekend.”
Ludwig was walking along a trail in a park around 2:30 PM on Tuesday when the stray bullet struck her in the head
Ludwig died overnight at Vanderbilt University Medical Center after clinging to life for more than a day, police said
Taylor has a criminal history and was previously accused of shooting into a car in 2021 with a 3-year-old and 1-year-old in the backseat
Taylor’s criminal history began in 2011, when police seized a .40-caliber handgun from him during an incident when he was a juvenile.
In 2015, he was charged with theft and placed on probation. The following year, Taylor was sentenced to a year in prison when he violated that probation and was charged with aggravated burglary.
He was arrested again in 2021 when he and another man fired a gun at a car with children and was charged with aggravated assault.
Police said he and another man allegedly shot at a woman as she rode in the car with her two children, with at least two bullets hitting the vehicle.
The charges were later dismissed and Taylor was released after three court-appointed psychologists testified earlier this year that he was “incompetent to stand trial.”
Under both federal and state law, “mentally incompetent” suspects cannot be prosecuted — but he was also ineligible to enter a mental health facility.
Taylor was arrested again in 2023 and charged with car theft, but released on bail.
An arrest warrant was issued for him last Friday when he failed to show up in court.