Family of Nashville college student killed by random bullet in park blame city and school officials for negligence

The parents of an 18-year-old freshman at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennesseee, who was killed when a stray bullet struck her in the head in 2023 are suing multiple people and entities after their daughter was left dying on a sidewalk for about an hour.

The wrongful death lawsuit filed in Davidson County says Jillian Ludwig, 18, “was killed in a shooting that was made possible by the multiple combined acts of negligence and recklessness committed by the Defendants here in Davidson County, Tennessee.”

The defendants include the city of Nashville, the state of Tennessee, the Nashville Metro Development and Housing Agency (MDHA), Belmont University, state or city employees who examined shooting suspect Shaquille Latrelle Taylor’s mental health, a gun supplier that sold a firearm to Taylor and others.

Ludwig “was considered by many music professionals to be a budding star” at the time of her death, the lawsuit states. She played six instruments, was a member of three bands and performed at well-known venues in Nashville. 

“Said Defendants further knew while Taylor was in their custody and control that he had a specific history of violence and gun violence. Further, said Defendants knew or should have known in the exercise of sound professional judgment that Taylor would likely harm others if released,” the lawsuit says of Matthai, Loftin and Wood.

The Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging did not respond to an inquiry from Fox News Digital.

Belmont University President Dr. Greg Jones addressed Jillian Ludwig’s death in an email to students and staff. (Instagram)

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said his “heart still aches for Jillian Ludwig, her family, and the entire Belmont community” in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“Last year, we collectively grieved such senseless gun violence. I remain inspired by the incredible strength of the Belmont community as they collectively grieved Jillian’s passing, and I hope that the Ludwig family feels our support,” O’Connell said. “We continue to look for effective solutions to reduce gun violence in our community.”

The Ludwigs’ attorneys were not commenting on the case at the time of publication out of respect for the family.

Matthew Ludwig previously told Fox News Digital in 2023 that until laws change, “this could happen to anyone.” And in April 2023, the Ludwig family was successful in doing just that with the passage of Jillian’s law, which requires dependents who are deemed incompetent to stand trial to be housed in the appropriate mental health facility.

The law also requires dependents who are determined to be incompetent to stand trial to be entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System so that they cannot purchase firearms.