Slain college student’s parents rip into daughter’s killer after murder guilty plea The parents of Jillian Ludwig, a Belmont University freshman killed while jogging, expressed their profound grief and anger towards Shaquille Taylor after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Taylor, a self-admitted gang member, was sentenced to 35 years without parole. The parents criticized Taylor’s lack of remorse and the systemic failures that allowed him to commit murder despite a lengthy criminal record and a prior finding of incompetence to stand trial.

• Shaquille Taylor pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for shooting and killing Jillian Ludwig, a Belmont University freshman.
• Ludwig was jogging near her university and was struck by a stray bullet fired by Taylor at rival gang members.
• Taylor was sentenced to 35 years for murder and three years for aggravated assault.
• Ludwig’s parents delivered emotional victim impact statements, describing their daughter and condemning Taylor’s actions and criminal history.
• The parents criticized the Nashville criminal justice system for perceived failures that allowed Taylor to commit the murder.
• Taylor had a history of violent offenses, including charges dismissed due to incompetence to stand trial and an active warrant at the time of Ludwig’s murder.
• Ludwig’s parents influenced the passage of “Jillian’s Law” in 2024, which addresses the supervision and treatment of individuals deemed mentally incompetent.
• Taylor was known by the gang nickname ‘the reaper’.