The parents of Jillian Ludwig, an 18-year-old Belmont University freshman tragically killed by a stray bullet in Nashville, Tennessee, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit. The suit alleges a series of failures by multiple parties led to the incident, leaving their daughter to die on a sidewalk for nearly an hour.
Jillian, a promising musician, was jogging near campus when she was struck by gunfire allegedly intended for another person. The suspect, Shaquille Latrelle Taylor, had a history of criminal activity and had previously been deemed incompetent to stand trial in a separate case. The lawsuit targets the city of Nashville, the state of Tennessee, Belmont University, the Nashville Metro Development and Housing Agency (MDHA), medical professionals involved in Taylor's mental health evaluations, and the gun supplier who sold Taylor the firearm.
The Ludwigs contend that Belmont University failed to warn students about the area's safety concerns, despite issuing alerts for other, less dangerous locations. They also claim MDHA, which owned the complex where Taylor allegedly fired the weapon, should have prevented him from possessing a firearm on their property. Furthermore, the lawsuit challenges the conflicting evaluations by state medical experts that deemed Taylor incompetent to stand trial but not enough to warrant involuntary confinement, ultimately leading to his release.
Taylor is currently indicted on multiple charges, including first-degree murder. The Ludwigs believe the system failed to protect their daughter and are advocating for legal changes to prevent similar tragedies. Their efforts resulted in “Jillian’s Law,” which mandates housing incompetent defendants in mental health facilities and entering them into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
The mayor of Nashville expressed condolences and emphasized the city's commitment to finding solutions to reduce gun violence. While the legal proceedings continue, the Ludwigs hope their fight for justice will lead to improved safety and accountability.
