'Light in a world of darkness': Family, friends honor slain Belmont student Jillian Ludwig

Emotions were visible and deep for family, friends and supporters who went Saturday to the Nashville park where an 18-year-old Belmont University freshman was hit by a stray bullet and eventually died in November.

Jillian Ludwig, 18, was hit by the gunshot that police say was not meant for her while on the track at William Edmondson Homesite Park & Gardens in the Edgehill community near the Belmont campus, authorities have said.

Jillian’s parents, Jessica and Matt Ludwig, were clearly emotional as a memorial plaque for the freshman was unveiled at the park by a tree planted in their daughter’s honor after a program with several speakers and songs.

In a prayer at the dedication, Belmont President Greg Jones described Jillian Ludwig as "salt in a world of decay and as your light in a world of darkness.” Ludwig, who graduated high school in New Jersey, was a music business major at Belmont and a musician herself.

Jessica Ludwig, in tears, hugged a number of Belmont students as people arrived to the dedication. A number of students wore shirts that read “Justice for Jillian,” referring to ongoing efforts to approve legislation in the Tennessee legislature known as Jillian’s Law.

The suspect charged with shooting Ludwig had previously been arrested multiple times and determined by a court to be mentally incompetent. Police have said the suspect was trying to shoot at a car.

The new legislation would require felony defendants who are determined to be mentally incompetent to be committed to a mental health institution and prohibited from owning or possessing guns.

“We’ve been trying to gain support throughout the community of Belmont and the Nashville community in general to show support for Jillian’s Law,” Ludwig’s roommate Livia Mehalovich said. “We’ve done a few different events just to get some signatures and did a couple of letter-writing events to write to some of the officials at the Capitol.

“These shirts are another part of that showing that we’re all banning together to push for this law. … We’re hoping to prevent any more tragedies like that.”

Students and other groups working together to prevent future gun violence is “What we are working on as a city,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said.

The memorial and dedication were two-fold – to honor Ludwig’s memory and to reclaim the neighborhood park as a safe destination.

The park, which has a walking trail, playground and open areas for sports, is used by area residents in the Edgehill community that includes public housing apartments and Belmont and Vanderbilt students, according to Mark Schlicher, vice president of Friends of the William Edmondson Homesite Park & Gardens.

“It’s a place we have intentionally nurtured to make all members of this community welcome,” Schlicher said.

The tree planted in Ludwig's honor is a Bald Cypress, considered long lasting and a legacy tree, Schlicher said.

The plaque now at the park includes: "This tree has been planted in loving memory of a beautiful and kind daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, friend and Belmont University freshman who was killed in a tragic and senseless shooting November 7, 2023." A poem follows Ludwig’s full name on the plaque.

Clergy ended the dedication with a prayer walk and blessing through the park.

"It's been really hard," Belmont freshman and friend Brandon Carman said about the impact Ludwig's death at the school. "But I would say the way we're trying to make something good come out of this is just by spreading her name.

"The biggest thing I learned from Jill is the biggest thing you can do for someone is shower them with love. ... It's all about love at the end of the day. So, that's what I learned from Jill, for sure. "

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Belmont student Jillian Ludwig honored at park where shooting took place