Shaquille Taylor pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the 2023 shooting death of 18-year-old Jillian Ludwig
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NEED TO KNOW
- A Tennessee man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the death of an 18-year-old college student
- Jillian Ludwig was walking on a track in Nashville when she was struck by a stray bullet in November 2023
- Shaquille Taylor’s guilty plea came after several hearings in which the court was determining whether Taylor was mentally competent to stand trial, but a judge ultimately ruled he was
A man has pleaded guilty to his role in the death of an 18-year-old college student who was killed by a stray bullet in Tennessee.
On Monday, May 4, Shaquille Taylor pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the 2023 shooting death of Jillian Ludwig, according to reports from WKRN, FOX 17 and WSMV.
Taylor, who was set to face trial on a capital murder charge, was subsequently sentenced to 38 years in prison, the outlets reported. The sentence also included a guilty plea of aggravated assault from a separate case.
On Nov. 7, 2023, Ludwig was walking on a track at Edgehill Community Memorial Gardens Park in Nashville, Tenn., when a shooting broke out at a public housing complex across the street.
Police alleged at the time that Taylor was shooting at a car when one of the bullets struck Ludwig in the head. She died from her injuries shortly after.
At the time of her death, Ludwig was a student at Belmont University and was known for her love of music.
“A music business major and bass player, she is often found at concerts, cheering on fellow musicians and using music as a way to connect with those around her,” Belmont University President Greg Jones said of the New Jersey native in a statement shared with ABC News in 2023. “Jillian is also an avid runner who enjoys being outside.”
Ludwig’s family remembered her through victim impact statements shared in court Monday.
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“My daughter lost her whole life, her whole bright, beautiful and promising future at only age 18,” the girl’s mother, Jessica Ludwig, said, per WKRN. “He deserves to lose the rest of his.”
The victim’s father, Matt Ludwig, shared similar sentiments about the length of Taylor’s sentence. “I know he did not intend to shoot Jillian, but he did,” he said, the outlet reported. “I have some sympathy for him. I do … but he needs to be in jail forever. For us today, 38 years will have to do.”
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Taylor’s guilty plea came after several hearings in which the court was determining whether he was mentally competent to stand trial, but a judge ultimately ruled he was, per WKRN and FOX 17.
Taylor had previously been found incompetent to stand trial for his alleged role in a separate shooting and was subsequently released.
The state has since passed Jillian’s Law, which requires the involuntary commitment of those found incompetent to stand trial for felonies or serious violent crimes.