‘She was always there for you.’ Prayer vigil held for Wall woman killed by stray bullet in Nashville
Jillian Ludwig died Thursday after being shot near her college campus on Tuesday.
More Stories
A prayer vigil was held Thursday night for the Wall Township woman who died in Nashville after being hit by a stray bullet near her college campus.
There were somber moments at The Brielle Church in Brielle, where Jillian Ludwig was a member of the choir. The college freshman succumbed to her injuries overnight and is being remembered for her musical talents and her heart of gold.
Dawne Mechlinski was Ludwig’s music director at The Brielle Church.
"She would raise money for different organizations, and she sang here with us at the choir. She was always there for you, whenever you needed her. She extended her kindness to everyone,” Mechlinski says.
Messages of remembrance poured in from Ludwig’s hometown, even from those who didn't know her well. Maru Pilla is also an artist from Wall and said she felt a sense of duty to be present for a fellow artist.
MORE: Prayer vigil held for Wall Township woman critically injured by stray bullet in Nashville
"She was a talented person obviously and I’m also somebody who left the town and went and made art and I feel like as an artist I should also come and support her,” Pilla says.
The Belmont University freshman was walking at a park near her campus when she was shot by a stray bullet. According to Nashville police, Ludwig, was across the street from where suspect Shaquille Taylor was standing when he allegedly opened fire on a car. Police say one of Taylor’s shots struck Ludwig in the head.
Now, those who knew Ludwig best wish they could have been by her side in her final moments.
"It is unfortunate that I wasn’t there to protect her, as my youth, they are my family and I know God was with her this whole time and we will miss her dearly and there will be nothing to replace our remarkable Jillian,” Mechlinski says.
Taylor was arrested Tuesday night and was charged with aggravated assault and evidence tampering. Those charges could possibly be modified now that Ludwig has died.
