A college student from New Jersey is clinging to life after being shot in the head by what he says was a career criminal as he walked near his campus in Nashville — and lay there for an hour before passersby found him.
Jillian Ludwig, 18, a freshman at Belmont University, was listed in critical condition after being shot about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday while walking in Edgehill Community Memorial Gardens Park, said the police.
Shaquille Taylor, 29, allegedly fired at a car from a public housing complex across the street — and the bullet hit Ludwig in the back of the head as he walked on the tracks, according to police.
One of the shots “allegedly struck Ludwig in the head, causing him to collapse instantly,” police said. He was found on the ground at about 3:30 p.m. by a passerby who notified police.
Surveillance video and witnesses led police to the suspected gunman, who admitted to opening fire, police said.
The accused gunman has been charged in previous shootings – but was released from custody earlier this year after being deemed incompetent to stand trial.
Jillian Ludwig is listed in very critical condition. Facebook / Jillian Ludwig
Video captured Ludwig falling after he was hit by a stray bullet, according to a police affidavit.
Taylor was arrested on Wednesday and charged with aggravated assault and tampering with evidence.
He is accused of giving the gun to someone else after the shooting, The Tennessean reported, citing court records.
His girlfriend also told investigators that he admitted to her that he was involved in the shooting, according to police records cited by the Tennessean.
Shaquille Taylor, 29, is charged with aggravated assault and tampering with evidence. Metro Nashville Police Department
Belmont University, a private Christian school in the Tennessee city, announced the shocking incident involving a business major from Wall Township, New Jersey, in an email to students and staff.
“Jillian’s family arrived in Nashville tonight and are with her at the hospital,” the email read, according to the news outlet.
“Jillian is an engaged member of our community known for her passion for music,” school President Greg Jones said in a statement.
“A music business major and bass player, he can often be found at concerts, cheering on fellow musicians and using music as a way to connect with those around him. Jillian is also a runner who enjoys being outside,” he added.
Taylor allegedly fired at a car from a public housing complex across the street and the bullet hit Ludwig in the back of the head, according to police. Metro Nashville Police Department
Jones encourages students to take advantage of counseling services.
“On days like these, let us lean on this love as we do our best as a community to care for and support each other,” he said. “Please join me in praying for Jillian’s family, friends and loved ones.”
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Belmont students and faculty gathered on campus Wednesday to pray for Ludwig, Fox 17 reported.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell called for unity.
“My prayers, our prayers are all for Jillian and her family right now,” O’Connell told the crowd. “He, like many, has come to Belmont for its incredible music business program.”
He added: “We must be determined to fight for a fairer society where this kind of violence does not hit our streets, but also a safer community, that takes action,” News Channel 15 reported.
“We know that it is impossible to feel safe when any one of us is not safe in some way,” he said.
The suspect has been criminally charged several times before.
In 2021, he was charged with three counts of assault with a deadly weapon after he and another man were accused of shooting a female driver while her two children were in the back seat.
At least two shots hit the vehicle.
Earlier this year, a Nashville judge dismissed the charges and Taylor was released after a court-appointed doctor testified that he was not competent to stand trial.
“Jillian is an engaged member of our community known for her love of music,” school President Greg Jones said in a statement. Facebook / Jillian Ludwig
Federal and state laws prohibit the prosecution of mentally incompetent persons.
The court order explained that Taylor had pneumonia at birth, which led to a brain infection, and that he continued to function at the kindergarten level.
Taylor also did not meet the criteria for voluntary commitment so the court had “reached the limits of its authority,” Criminal Court Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton wrote.
“A music business major and bass player, he can often be found at concerts, cheering on fellow musicians and using music as a way to connect with those around him. Jillian is also a runner who enjoys being outside,” continued Jones. Facebook / Jillian Ludwig
Taylor was later arrested in a grocery store parking lot driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck that had been hijacked by two men wearing ski masks on Sept. 16, police said.
He was charged with felony vehicle theft and released on $20,000 bond.
A warrant was issued when he failed to appear in court.
Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk issued a statement Wednesday criticizing a Tennessee law that sets the rules for when a person can be involuntarily committed.
Taylor has been criminally charged several times in the past, including three counts of assault with a deadly weapon and felony car theft. Metro Nashville Police Department
The law requires at least two doctors to certify that the person has a severe mental illness or developmental disability that puts him or her at great risk of harming himself or others.
“The law must be changed to properly balance individual needs with public safety,” Funk said in a statement. “At the same time, Tennessee must provide more beds and staffing resources to handle dangerous individuals.”
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
