Relatives of a Nashville college student who was killed while jogging have shared their reaction after the man responsible accepted a plea agreement that reduced the charge.
Jillian Ludwig was running in a park close to Belmont University on November 7, 2023, when she was shot and killed by Shaquille Taylor, who authorities identified as a gang member.
Prosecutors said Taylor meant to shoot at rival gang members riding in a moving car, but the gunfire missed the intended target and struck Jillian instead.
The teenage student was placed on life support and died the following day.
Taylor was originally indicted on first-degree murder. On Monday (May 4), he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder as part of a plea deal.
He received a 35-year sentence without the possibility of parole, plus an additional three years for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
In court, Jillian’s mother, Jessica Ludwig, delivered a victim impact statement after Taylor entered his plea.
“To me she was more than just my only daughter,” she began before going on to describe her daughter as ‘extraordinary’ and her ‘best friend’.
She continued: “The man who is being sentenced today is the exact opposite. A man with a list of crimes so long it is shocking. A man who hurts people and families, and not only lacks compassion and remorse but one who has been known to even brag about his crimes.
“A man who proudly goes by the gang nickname ‘the reaper.’ Let that sink in. What does that tell you?”
After sentencing, Jessica told WSMV that Taylor’s prison sentence ‘should have been life’, adding: “He took everything from us.”
Jillian’s father, Matthew Ludwig, also addressed the court in his own victim impact statement, criticizing the justice system’s failures.
“I hope he does not see life outside of prison,” he said in court. “But he needs to be in jail. For us today, 38 years will have to do.
“Imagine reading the autopsy report for your 18-year-old daughter. No drugs or alcohol in her system. Perfect weight. Gunshot to the head. There is no worse pain than a father who loses his only daughter to murder.”
Court records also noted that Taylor had an active arrest warrant at the time of the shooting, following earlier allegations that included aggravated assault with a firearm and auto theft.
Matthew added: “In 2023, I trusted Nashville, Tennessee, to keep to keep my daughter safe for four years as she ventured off into the world to succeed, to thrive,”
“But in only 83 days, Nashville failed her and us so miserably.”
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].