The parents of an 18-year-old freshman at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, who was killed in 2023 by a stray bullet, are suing multiple people and organizations after their daughter was left on a sidewalk for nearly a year to die. time.
The wrongful death lawsuit filed in Davidson County states that Jillian Ludwig, 18, “died in a shooting here in Davidson County, Tennessee, made possible by multiple acts of negligence and recklessness by Defendants.” It is stated that.
The defendants include the City of Nashville, the State of Tennessee, the Nashville Metro Development and Housing Authority (MDHA), Belmont University, the state or city officials who evaluated the mental state of shooting suspect Shaquille Latrell Taylor, and the gunman who sold the firearm to Taylor. Includes supplier companies. And others.
The suit states that at the time of his death, Ludwig was “considered by many music experts to be a rising star.” She plays six instruments, is a member of three bands, and has performed at notable venues in Nashville.
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Jillian Ludwig, 18, was fatally struck by a stray bullet while jogging in Nashville, Tennessee. (Handouts for families)
“Jillian was a bright, talented young woman who loved her family and friends and had a bright future ahead of her,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit also alleges that Taylor, who was found incompetent to stand trial in another criminal case prior to Ludwig's death, illegally possessed a firearm for 18 years and committed a series of crimes that led to his illegal possession of firearms in the area. It details the alleged failure. -old was running on November 7, 2023.
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“I don't want other parents to go through this nightmare that we're going through,” said Jessica Thorne Ludwig (right). (Handouts for families)
That day, around 2:20 p.m., Ludwig was jogging between classes on the track at Edgehill Community Memorial Gardens Park, just northeast of Belmont's campus, when another target allegedly targeted him. I was shot by someone. nashville police department he said at the time.
Nashville police arrested Taylor, 29, a repeat offender, in connection with the shooting in which Ludwig was initially hospitalized in critical condition but was pronounced dead on Nov. 8.
In March, a grand jury indicted Taylor, who has an extensive criminal history, on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, felony possession of a weapon with criminal intent, five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and reckless endangerment.
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Shaquille Taylor has been charged with multiple crimes in connection with Gillian Ludwig's death. (M Metropolitan Nashville Police Department)
The suspect was previously charged with shooting a Nashville teenager in the chest and shooting a pregnant Nashville woman who was with her two children. Her injuries led to the miscarriage of the fetus, the complaint states.
Taylor “recklessly discharged a .40 caliber firearm” in the Edge Hill Community Memorial Gardens Park area while Ludwig was running, striking the 18-year-old musician in the head.
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“Jillian lay bleeding in plain sight for over an hour in broad daylight until she was found by police and treated,” the complaint states.
The crime affidavit states Shaquille Taylor was targeting a target named “Lil Greg” and was driving through the area when a suspect drove in his direction. Gillian Ludwig, who was also walking in the area at the same time, is said to have fired the shots. (Handouts for families)
Ludwig's father, Matthew Ludwig, previously told Fox News Digital that the shooting was “completely preventable.”
“And the law that was implemented has failed,” he said in November 2023.
“They protect criminals, not innocent victims.”
The suit alleges that Belmont University knew or should have known to warn students that the area where Ludwig was running was unsafe and “provided other safety warnings… “To students in other less dangerous areas.”
Belmont University said there was little the school could say about the pending lawsuit, but the university said in a statement that “the entire campus shares the continued sadness of Jillian's death” and that the community has , and will continue to “work deeply on the case.” student safety.”
Gillian Ludwig's family says the law needs to be changed so repeat offenders who are deemed incompetent to stand trial are not immediately released from custody. (Handouts for families)
The complaint also states that Nashville MDHA, the owner of the apartment complex where Taylor, a felon, allegedly fired his illegally-held weapon, has a duty to ensure that Taylor “does not use a handgun” on its premises. He also claimed that he fired shots at the park where Ludwig was. I was running.
The Metro Housing Authority said it could not comment on pending litigation, and the Nashville Law Office, which handles legal requests related to the Nashville government, said it would not comment on the matter until the case is resolved.
The lawsuit also names as defendants Tennessee government officials Dr. Jenny Matthai, Dr. Michael Loftin, and Dr. Mary Jane Wood, three medical experts who say Taylor is too incompetent to stand trial, but that he should not. It claims that it gave “contradictory evaluations” that determined that he was not as incompetent as he was given. He was eligible for involuntary confinement for previous crimes prior to the shooting that killed Ludwig.
Gillian Ludwig's parents said she always did well in school, but her greatest passion was playing and studying music. (Handouts for families)
Therefore, Taylor was allowed “immunity from both criminal prosecution and involuntary confinement posing a significant risk of physical harm to Gillian,” the complaint states.
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“Defendants further stated that while Taylor was in custody and custody, they knew that he had a particular history of violence and gun violence. Defendants further stated that if Taylor was released, that they knew, or should have known, in the exercise of sound professional judgment, that they were likely to cause harm to others,” the complaint says of Matthai, Loftin and Wood. .
The Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging did not respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
Belmont University President Dr. Greg Jones addressed Gillian Ludwig's death in an email to students and staff. (Instagram)
“My heart continues to break for Gillian Ludwig, her family, and the entire Belmont community,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell said in a statement to FOX News Digital.
“Last year, we collectively grieved over such senseless gun violence. I remain inspired by the incredible strength of the Belmont community as we collectively grieved the loss of Jillian. We hope the Ludwig family feels our support,” O'Connell said. “We continue to look for effective solutions to reduce gun violence in our communities.”
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An attorney for the Ludwigs had not commented on the case at the time of publication out of concern for the family.
Matthew Ludwig previously told Fox News Digital in 2023 that “this could happen to anyone” until the law changes. And in April 2023, the Ludwig family succeeded in doing just that by passing Gillian's Law, which requires dependents deemed incompetent to stand trial in appropriate mental health facilities.
The law also requires dependents found to be incompetent to stand trial to be registered with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System to prevent them from purchasing firearms.
