Who was Jillian Ludwig? Belmont University freshman, 18, dies after being shot in the head by a stray bullet
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Jillian Ludwig, an 18-year-old freshman at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, died on Wednesday night, November 8, after being shot in the head by a stray bullet.
Ludwig had been walking on a park trail near the campus, officials said when she was shot.
She was found an hour later by a passerby in critical condition, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said in a media release.
Jillian Ludwig was a 'music lover and an avid runner'
Ludwig was a music business major and a bass player who loved attending concerts and connecting with others through music, according to Belmont University President Greg Jones, CNN reported.
Ludwig who had "immediately collapsed" after being hit remained in critical condition after she was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
She was discovered at 3.30 pm by a passerby who quickly notified police.
"Sadly, Jillian Ludwig passed away during the night. We are in discussion with the District Attorney's Office concerning modified charges against Shaquille Taylor," police announced on X.
Sadly, Jillian Ludwig passed away during the night. We are in discussion with the District Attorney's Office concerning modified charges against Shaquille Taylor.
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) November 9, 2023
Jones described Ludwig as an "engaged member of our community who is known for her love of music and its incredible power."
Belmont students and faculty gathered on campus Wednesday, November 8, to pray for Ludwig according to Fox 17.
Jillian Ludwig was shot by Shaquille Taylor who was tracked through surveillance footage
Shaquille Taylor, 29, allegedly opened fire on a car from a public housing complex across the street and a bullet struck Ludwig in the back of the head as she walked on a track, according to cops.
He then allegedly gave the gun to another person after the shooting, according to reports.
“He admitted to firing shots during an interview with detectives at police headquarters. He claimed to have given the gun involved to another person,” the news release said.
After Ludwig died, police said they were working with prosecutors on modifying charges against the suspect who was already charged with aggravated assault and evidence tampering.
Shaquille Taylor is being held on a $260,000 bond
He is being held on a $260,000 bond for those charges, according to jail records.
He also faces a charge for failure to appear in court Friday on charges related to a September carjacking, according to the news release.
His girlfriend also told investigators that he admitted to her that he was involved in a shooting, The Tennessean reported.
Suspect who 'shot' Jillian Ludwig has a criminal record
In 2021, he was charged with three counts of assault with a deadly weapon after he and another man were accused of shooting at a female driver while her two children were in the back seat.
At least two rounds had struck the vehicle, as reported by the New York Post.
Earlier this year, a Nashville judge dismissed the charges and Taylor was released after court-appointed doctors testified that he was incompetent to stand trial.
As per the report, the suspect continues to function at a kindergarten level after developing pneumonia at birth, which led to a brain infection.
Police later arrested Taylor in a grocery store parking lot, after he stole a Ford Ford F-150 at gunpoint.
H was freed on bond $20,000 bond. He skipped his court date and a warrant was issued.