Who are Jessica and Matt Ludwig? Parents of New Jersey teenager killed by stray bullet say her death is ‘hard to process’
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Jessica and Matt Ludwig, the parents of Jillian Ludwig, an 18-year-old freshman at Belmont University who was killed by a stray bullet on her Nashville college campus on Thursday, November 9, broke their silence over the incident.
The grieving couple spoke to WKRN-TV and paid tribute to their daughter’s “beautiful soul.”
"That's a piece of heart that was taken from me," Jessica said.
Jillian Ludwig's parents say her death is 'impossible to process'
Matt added, “It’s kind of hard to comprehend. She was thriving so well and doing so well in so many ways, in every way.
"For it to all change so suddenly — it’s, it’s hard to, it’s hard to process. It’s impossible to process.”
The family had rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center when their daughter was fighting for her life.
Jillian was shot in the back of her head on Thursday, November 9, by a round allegedly fired by Shaquille Taylor, 29, who has a criminal record.
He admitted to firing shots from a public housing complex across the street from the park where Jillian was walking on a track, police said.
He had been charged over previous shootings but was released from custody earlier this year after being deemed incompetent to stand trial.
Jillian Ludwig's parents say her life was a 'symphony of joy and love'
A set up a GoFundMe page to help the family with medical and funeral expenses described Jillian Ludwig's life as a "symphony of joy and love."
Jillian whose "brilliant smile and infinite enthusiasm brought light into" the lives was tragically cut short, the fundraiser mentioned.
It said she was "a brilliant student, musician, and, most importantly, an irreplaceable part of our family."
The fundraiser has raised over 60K from 829 donations when the report was written.
'Losing her would forever change the fabric of our lives', say Jessica and Matt Ludwig
Her aunt Geri Wainwright told WSMV before her death that Jillian's "fearlessness, spontaneity, love of laughter, kindness, and compassion make her irreplaceable to our family."
Adding, "Losing her would forever change the fabric of our lives.”
Wainwright said, "Jillian has such a beautiful soul. Her smile lights up any room and she is loved by everyone lucky enough to know her."
Jillian graduated from Wall High School last June. As an accomplished student, musician, and vocalist, she chose to study Music Business at Belmont University.
She loved the short time she’d spent at Belmont. She loves her life, her friends, her parents, and her younger brothers, Shane and Trevor, Wainwright said.
Nashville District Attorney’s Office prosecuted Taylor back in May on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge.
However, he was released after doctors testified, he was incompetent to stand trial.