A New Jersey college student died overnight Thursday, two days after she was hit in the head by a bullet allegedly fired by a career criminal while she was walking near her campus in Nashville, and lay prone for an hour before she died. a passerby will find it.
Jillian Ludwig, 18, a freshman at Belmont University, was initially listed in critical condition after being shot around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday while walking through Edgehill Community Memorial Gardens Park.
But just before 10 a.m. Thursday, the Nashville Police Department announced on X: “Sadly, Jillian Ludwig passed away overnight.”
Following Ludwig’s death, authorities are discussing updated charges against alleged shooter Shaquille Taylor, 29, who has already been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and tampering with evidence.
He had allegedly opened fire on a car at a public housing complex across the street, striking the innocent Wall Township, New Jersey, shopkeeper as she walked down a track, police previously said.
One of the shots “apparently struck Ludwig in the head, causing her to immediately collapse,” police said.
Jillian Ludwig died overnight Thursday.Facebook / Jillian Ludwig
However, she appeared to have gone unnoticed for at least an hour, and a passerby reported finding her on the ground around 3:30 p.m.
Following Ludwig’s death, authorities are discussing updated charges against Taylor, who was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and tampering with evidence on Wednesday, Metropolitan Nashville Police said.
Surveillance video and witnesses led police to the alleged gunman, who admitted to the shooting, police said.
The accused gunman has been charged in previous shootings, but was released earlier this year after being deemed incompetent to stand trial.
Shaquille Taylor, 29, was charged with aggravated assault and tampering with evidence. Nashville Metropolitan Police Department
Video captured Ludwig falling after being hit by a stray bullet, according to a police affidavit.
Taylor was arrested Wednesday and charged with aggravated assault and tampering with evidence.
He was accused of giving the gun to another person after the shooting, The Tennessean reported, citing court records.
His girlfriend also told investigators that he admitted to her that he was involved in a shooting, according to police records cited by The Tennessean.
Taylor allegedly opened fire on a car from a public housing complex across the street, and one bullet struck Ludwig in the back of the head, according to police. Nashville Metropolitan Police Department
Belmont University, a private Christian school in the Tennessee city, announced the shocking incident involving the Garden State business student, in an email to students and staff.
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Jones encouraged students to take advantage of counseling services.
“On days like this, let us lean into this love as we do our best as a community to care for and support each other,” said school president Greg Jones. “Please join me in praying for Jillian’s family, friends and loved ones.”
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, all of our prayers are for Jillian and her family right now,” O’Connell told the crowd. “She, like many others, had come to Belmont because of her incredible music business program.”
He added: “We have to decide to fight for a more just society where this type of violence does not plague our streets, but also for a safer community that takes action,” News Channel 15 reported.
“We know that it is impossible to feel safe when any of us are not safe in some way,” he said.
“Jillian is a committed member of our community who is known for her love of music,” school president Greg Jones said in a statement. Facebook / Jillian Ludwig
The suspect has been criminally charged several times in the past.
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.
“A music business specialist and bassist, she is often found at concerts, encouraging other musicians and using music as a way to connect with those around her. Jillian is also an avid runner who likes to be outdoors,” continued Jones.Facebook/Jillian Ludwig
Earlier this year, a Nashville judge dismissed the charges and Taylor was released after court-appointed doctors testified that he was incompetent to stand trial.
Federal and state laws prohibit the prosecution of mentally incompetent persons.
A court order explained that Taylor had developed pneumonia at birth, which caused a brain infection, and that he continues to function at the kindergarten level.
Taylor also did not meet the criteria for involuntary commitment, so the court had “reached the limit of its authority,” Criminal Court Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton wrote.
Taylor has been criminally charged several times in the past, including three counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one felony count of auto theft. Nashville Metropolitan Police Department
Taylor was later arrested in a grocery store parking lot driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck that had been stolen by two men wearing ski masks on Sept. 16, police said.
He was charged with felony auto theft and released on $20,000 bail.
An arrest warrant was issued when he failed to appear in court.
Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk issued a statement Wednesday criticizing Tennessee’s law that sets rules for when a person can be involuntarily committed.
The law requires that at least two doctors certify that the person suffers from a serious mental illness or developmental disability that places the person at substantial risk of serious harm to self or others.
“The law must be changed to accurately balance individual needs with public safety,” Funk said in a statement. “At the same time, Tennessee must provide more beds and staffing resources to care for dangerous people.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn