A man accused of fatally shooting a Nashville College Student from New Jersey last year was indicted this month on a murder charge, the prosecutor’s office confirmed Tuesday.
The man identified as Shaquille Taylor, 29, is accused of killing Belmont University freshman Jillian Ludwig, who was struck in the head with a stray bullet in a park near campus in November 2023.The 18-year-old victim was rushed to the hospital in critical condition on Nov. 7, but later died.Taylor was charged on first-degree murder and evidence tampering charges, prosecutors said.
He allegedly fired multiple rounds toward a nearby dark sedan fleeing the area with one of the shots instead hitting Ludwig, according to an affidavit.The suspect’s girlfriend told Nashville police he admitted to her he was involved in the shooting, per court papers.
Taylor was previously arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in April 2023, but was never prosecuted because he wasn’t found competent to stand trial by three court appointed doctors to the frustration of the district attorney’s office.
He also didn’t meet the burden to be involuntarily committed to a mental health facility and was released from custody.Doctors said Taylor has an intellectual disability and language impairment, according to court papers.
His release and the subsequent deadly shooting of Ludwig prompted outrage and resulted in Tennessee lawmakers to reexamine state laws.
Following the shooting, Ludwig’s family remembered her as a “radiant and talented young woman,” who performed bass and guitar, as well as sang, at multiple venues where she grew up in Wall Township in the Garden State
“Jillian was a radiant and talented young woman full of enthusiasm, compassion, and love,” her obituary stated.
Source:NewYorkPost
