May 5, 2026
Slain college student's parents rip into daughter's killer after murder guilty plea
Parents of slain Belmont University freshman Jillian Ludwig tore into her killer after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Nashville court.
TL;DR
- Shaquille Taylor pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for shooting and killing Jillian Ludwig, a Belmont University freshman.
- Ludwig was jogging near her university and was struck by a stray bullet fired by Taylor at rival gang members.
- Taylor was sentenced to 35 years for murder and three years for aggravated assault.
- Ludwig's parents delivered emotional victim impact statements, describing their daughter and condemning Taylor's actions and criminal history.
- The parents criticized the Nashville criminal justice system for perceived failures that allowed Taylor to commit the murder.
- Taylor had a history of violent offenses, including charges dismissed due to incompetence to stand trial and an active warrant at the time of Ludwig's murder.
- Ludwig's parents influenced the passage of "Jillian's Law" in 2024, which addresses the supervision and treatment of individuals deemed mentally incompetent.
- Taylor was known by the gang nickname 'the reaper'.