Parents Of Slain NJ Teen Speak Out: 'A Piece Of My Heart Was Taken'

WALL, NJ — The parents of Jillian Ludwig, the Wall teen who was fatally shot by a stray bullet while walking in a park near her Nashville college, spoke out about the death of their daughter Friday, telling "Good Morning America" that her death has been "hard to comprehend."

Ludwig died Thursday, police confirmed, two days after a bullet from a nearby shooting struck her while she walked on a track in Nashville's Edgehill Community Memorial Gardens Park.

Shaquille Taylor, 29, was charged Wednesday with aggravated assault and evidence tampering in connection with the shooting. Nashville police said Thursday the charges were sent to a grand jury and that any modified charges would come over the next few weeks.

Authorities said Taylor shot at a car from a public housing complex across the street from the park. The stray bullet hit Ludwig in the head, police said.

In an interview with "Good Morning America," Jessica and Matt Ludwig said their daughter was "thriving" before her death.

"There's a piece of my heart that was taken from me," Jessica Ludwig said during the interview. "And I don't know how to feel that."

Belmont University President Greg Jones emailed students and staff Wednesday morning announcing a prayer service for Ludwig. He described her as a music business major and bass player who was "often found at concerts, cheering on fellow musicians and using music as a way to connect with those around her."

Ludwig was also an avid runner who enjoyed being outside, Jones wrote.

The Wall community attended a prayer vigil Wednesday before the death of Ludwig, a 2023 graduate of Wall High School and a beloved member of the community.

"Jillian will remain in our hearts as she lived — vibrant, loving, musically gifted, adventurous, loyal and kind," Wall Board of Education President Christine Steitz said. "She was often a fixture at school and local gatherings, sharing her gift of song, elevating special events with her musicianship and spirit of fellowship."

Taylor has been charged criminally several times in the past. In 2021, Taylor was charged with three counts of assault with a deadly weapon after he and another man were accused of shooting at a female driver while her two children were in the back seat. At least two rounds struck the vehicle.

Earlier this year, a Nashville judge dismissed those 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 defendants.

The May 19 court order explained that Taylor had developed pneumonia at birth, which led to a brain infection. Because of that, he continues to function at a kindergarten level. Because Taylor also did not meet the criteria for involuntary commitment, the court had "reached the limit of its authority," Criminal Court Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton wrote.

According to Nashville police, Taylor was also charged with felony auto theft after being found with a stolen truck on Sept. 21. He was released on a $20,000 bond and failed to appear in court on that charge last Friday. A failure to appear warrant was issued by the court in Nashville, according to the police information.

Meanwhile, Ludwig's parents are trying to come to terms with her death while also calling for change.

"A repeat criminal who's deemed to have mental health issues should be dealt with in a facility or in some way that deals with those issues," Matt Ludwig told GMA. The answer should not be to release him back into the streets."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.