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Parents of 18-year-old boy Freshman at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee Multiple people and entities are being sued in 2023 after a stray bullet killed her daughter, who was found dead on the sidewalk about an hour later.
The wrongful death lawsuit filed in Davidson County alleges that 18-year-old Jillian Ludwig “ killed in shooting This was the result of multiple acts of negligence and recklessness committed by the defendants in Davidson County, Tennessee. “
The defendants include the City of Nashville, Tennessee, the Metro Nashville Development and Housing Authority (MDHA), Belmont University, state or city employees who examined the mental health of shooting suspect Shaquille Latrell Taylor, and the sale of firearms to Taylor. of gun suppliers and others.
Ludwig was “considered a budding star by many music professionals” at the time of his death, the lawsuit states. She plays six instruments, is a member of three bands, and performs at prominent venues in Nashville.
Jillian Ludwig, 18, was killed by a stray bullet while jogging in Nashville, Tennessee. (distributed to family members)
“Jillian loved her family and friends and was a radiant, talented young woman with a bright future ahead of her,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit goes on to detail a series of alleged failures that led to Taylor illegally possessing firearms that he was deemed incompetent to stand trial in a separate criminal case before Ludwig’s death at 18 Guns were used in the shootings. -old will run on November 7, 2023.
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Jessica Thorne Ludwig (right) said she doesn’t want “any other parent to go through this nightmare that we’re going through.” (distributed to family members)
Around 2:20 that afternoon, Ludwig was jogging on a track at Edgehill Community Memorial Gardens Park, northeast of the Belmont campus, when she was shot, allegedly by a different target, namely nashville police department said at the time.
Nashville police arrested Taylor, a 29-year-old repeat offender, in connection with the shooting, which left Ludwig initially hospitalized in critical condition and later pronounced dead on Nov. 8.
In March, a grand jury indicted Taylor, who had an extensive criminal history, on multiple charges, including first degree murdera felony count of possession of a weapon with criminal intent, five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and reckless endangerment.
Shaquille Taylor has been indicted on multiple charges in connection with the death of Jillian Ludwig. (Metro Nashville Police Department)
The suspect was previously accused of shooting a Nashville teen in the chest and shooting a pregnant Nashville woman and her two children. Her injuries resulted in the miscarriage of her unborn child, the complaint states.
As Ludwig was running, Taylor “recklessly opened fire” in the area of Edgehill Community Memorial Gardens Park, striking the 18-year-old musician in the head.
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“Jillian lay bleeding for more than an hour in broad daylight before she was discovered by police and provided medical assistance,” the lawsuit states.
A criminal affidavit states that Shaquille Taylor allegedly targeted a target named “Lil Gregg” who was driving in the area when the suspect allegedly fired in his direction while the target was driving in the area. Gillian Ludwig was walking. (distributed to family members)
Ludwig’s father, Matthew Ludwig, previously told Fox News Digital that the shooting was “completely preventable.”
“The current law has failed,” he said in November 2023.
“They’re protecting criminals, not innocent victims.”
The lawsuit alleges that Belmont University knew or should have known to alert students that the area where Ludwig was running was unsafe because they had issued “other safety warnings…” to students in other less dangerous areas.
Belmont University said it had little to say in response to the pending litigation, but the university did say in a statement that the “entire campus continues to grieve over Jillian’s passing” and that the community has been and remains “Unwaveringly committed to student safety.”
Gillian Ludwig’s family says the law needs to be changed so repeat offenders deemed incompetent to stand trial are not immediately released. (distributed to family members)
The indictment also alleges that Nashville MDHA owns an apartment complex where Taylor was a felon and that he allegedly discharged an illegally possessed weapon, and that the agency had an obligation to “ensure that Taylor did not use a handgun on its property” and to provide Shots were fired in the park where Ludwig was. Running.
Metro housing agencies said they could not comment on pending litigation, and the Nashville Legal Department, which handles legal requests related to the Nashville government, said it would not comment on the case until it is resolved.
The lawsuit further names as defendants Jenny Matthai, Dr. Michael Loftin and Dr. Mary Jane Wood of the State of Tennessee, alleging that the three medical experts’ “Conflicting assessments” determined Taylor was too incompetent to stand trial but not incompetent enough to stand trial. He is eligible for involuntary incarceration for past crimes before Ludwig’s shooting.
Gillian Ludwig’s parents said that although she had always done well in school, she was most passionate about playing and studying music. (distributed to family members)
As a result, Taylor was allowed “to be immune from criminal prosecution and involuntary incarceration, which created a substantial risk of physical harm to Jillian,” according to the complaint.
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“Defendants further knew that while Taylor was in their custody and under their control, he had a specific history of violence and gun violence. Additionally, in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment, Defendants knew or should have known that Taylor was likely to cause harm to others if released,” the lawsuit states. Mentions of Mattei, Loftin and Wood.
The Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging did not respond to an inquiry from Fox News Digital.
Belmont University President Dr. Greg Jones addressed Gillian Ludwig’s death in an email to students, faculty and staff. (instagram)
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said in a statement to Fox News Digital that his “heart still aches for Jillian Ludwig, her family and the entire Belmont community.”
“Over the last year, we have collectively grieved over this senseless gun violence,” O’Connell said. “I continue to be inspired by the incredible strength of the Belmont community as they collectively mourn Jillian’s passing, and I hope The Ludwig family feels our support. “We will continue to find effective solutions to reduce gun violence in our community.”
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Out of respect for the Ludwig family, lawyers for the Ludwig family had not commented on the case at the time of publication.
Matthew Ludwig previously told Fox News Digital in 2023 that “this could happen to anyone” until the law changes. In April 2023, the Ludwig family succeeded in doing just that, passing Gillian’s Law, which requires family members deemed incompetent to stand trial to be placed in an appropriate mental health facility.
The law also requires families who are determined to be incompetent to stand trial to enter the National Instant Criminal Background Check System so they cannot purchase firearms.
