‘I Wish…’: Tennessee Man Shares Biggest Regret as He’s Sentenced to 36 Years for Killing Teen Jogger

A Tennessee man was sentenced to 38 years in prison for killing an 18-year-old college student. She was working out at a park near her campus when a stray bullet struck her, tragically ending her life.

Shaquille Taylor, 31, has been sentenced to 38 years in a state correctional facility for killing Jillian Ludwig in 2023. Taylor pleaded guilty to one count each of second-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Davidson County Criminal Judge Steve R. Dozier handed down the sentence shortly after.

Taylor will have to serve 100 percent of his 35-year sentence for murder. However, he might be eligible for early release on the 3-year assault term.

In a statement read on his behalf, the killer reportedly apologized. He maintained that he did not intend to kill the girl. “I’m sorry for your loss. I wish I could take that bullet back. I was not aiming for your daughter at all,” he said, addressing the victim’s family.

Ludwig’s parents were devastated, recalling the incident during the hearing. According to a report from WZTV, Matthew Ludwig, the victim’s father, said, “There is no worse pain than a father who loses his only daughter to murder.” He added, “He needs to be in jail forever. For us, today, 38 years will have to do.”

Jessica Ludwig, the slain student’s mother, said, “My daughter lost her whole life, her whole bright, beautiful, and promising future, at only age 18.”

The incident unfolded on November 7, 2023. According to Law&Crime, the shooting occurred near Edgehill Community Memorial Gardens Park, where Ludwig was walking; Taylor fired multiple rounds, targeting someone inside a moving car.

However, after he missed, the bullet struck Ludwig in the head. She was not found for more than an hour after being shot, delaying necessary medical treatment.

Taylor had been released from custody months earlier after he was deemed incompetent to stand trial in a separate case. The victim’s family argued that Ludwig’s death was preventable. The family filed a $50 million lawsuit against Belmont University, the Metro Nashville government, and the state of Tennessee. Their claims included wrongful death, conscious pain and suffering.

The lawsuit added that the victim was unaware that the park was unsafe and that authorities failed to promptly respond after the shooting occurred.