Parents of Belmont student killed in park charge Metro, MNPD, Belmont University

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The parents of 18-year-old Jillian Ludwig have filed a lawsuit following the Belmont University student’s death on November 7, 2023.

Ludwig was killed by a stray bullet while exercising at Edge Hill Community Memorial Gardens Park.

Shaquille Taylor is accused of firing the bullet from the nearby Metro Development and Housing Agency building where he lived.

According to the lawsuit, a series of failures led to Jillian’s injuries and death. Her parents have sued Belmont University, Metro Nashville Government, an officer with the Metro Nashville Police Department and the state of Tennessee, among others.

The lawsuit alleges that Belmont University never warned Ludwig about the dangers of the park, even though she warned students about other, less dangerous neighborhoods.

The state of Tennessee, through Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities officials, is accused of conducting conflicting competency assessments of suspect Shaquille Taylor, resulting in his release from prison on assault charges months before Ludwig was shot.

The Public Prosecution Service said this three doctors deemed him incompetent to stand trialmeaning he couldn’t be prosecuted and was released.

“I don’t know much about the man other than what everyone has heard about him and what has been made public,” Matt Ludwig said. “Our anger is directed at the system that allowed this to happen.”

Jillian’s Law came into effect in July and is intended to find treatment for criminals deemed incompetent to stand trial. It also prohibits them from purchasing a gun.

The lawsuit also accuses a Metro Nashville Police Department officer of failing to properly investigate after authorities were alerted to shots fired in the area. It was over an hour before Ludwig was found bleeding in the park by a passerby.

It also alleges that MNPD failed to properly train officers in crime scene mapping.

That delay resulted in a worsening of her condition, reduced her chances of survival and was one of the causes of her death, the lawsuit alleges.

“Jillian lay bleeding at this location at Edge Hill Community Memorial Gardens Park, in plain sight, in broad daylight, for over an hour before she was found by police and provided medical attention,” the complaint said.

The Metro Development and Housing Agency is accused of knowing suspect Shaquille Taylor was in illegal possession of a gun but continues to allow him to live in the property, the complaint alleges. MDHA is also accused of not properly training staff to take appropriate action in such circumstances.

The lawsuit calls for a jury to award the Ludwig family $50 million in damages.