NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — It's been two years since a Belmont University student Jillian Ludwig was hit and killed by a stray bullet while walking in a Nashville park. This weekend, her family and friends hope to raise money for a scholarship in her honor.

As the seasons change and the leaves turn color, time doesn't heal all wounds.

"I would say definitely this time of year specifically is hard, I feel like numb is the feeling that I feel most of the time," said Ludwig's roommate, Livia Mehalovich.

"It's definitely weird it's sad I can't believe it's been two years, time just goes so fast," added Gilda Colaiace, Ludwig's friend.

On Nov. 7, 2023, Ludwig was out for a jog at Edgehill Park when she was struck by a stray bullet. It's a day her roommate will never forget.

"I stayed with her through the night, it was pretty awful," Mehalovich recalled.

"None of this should of happened but all you can really do is find ways to bring forth love," Colaiace added.

On the anniversary of Ludwig's death, the group of friends put flowers under a tree named in Jillian's honor. The flowers are as colorful as her personality.

"She was just so cool. Cool is like the word that everyone uses," Mehalovich said.

"Her attentiveness, she was so grounding," Colaiace expressed.

"Jill was my favorite person to have fun with," added Lauren Vega, another one of Ludwig's friend. "She was fun, she was cool, she was kind, just the life of the party."

As the group remembers their beloved friend, who was also a talented musician, they get ready for the 2nd Annual Nashville Jams for Jill on Sunday, Nov. 9.

The event raises money for the Rae of Light Foundation, which is a non-profit started in Jill's honor to raise money for a scholarship to help other aspiring musicians. It's also an event that helps them heal.

"I hope she's in heaven rockin' on with George Harrison and everyone she loved, we're celebrating her this whole weekend and month really," Mehalovich said.

As the leaves fall and the time moves forward, Ludwig's friends say she'll never be forgotten.

"We're never going to forget that previous time that we spent with her, and we're never going to stop making a different and playing it forward in her name," Vega said.

The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, Nov. 9 at Exit/In. Doors open at 6 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m.

Artists playing include Beach Daze, Paperview, Gilda, Hana Eid, Miles Connor, Grace Bowers, Emma Ogier, Colin Stough, and Campanula, and Rayland Baxter.

As for the man accused of killing Jillian, Shaquille Taylor is still awaiting trial. His attorney's argued he was incompetent to stand trial due to insanity, but a judge disagreed. Taylor's trial date will be May 2026.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/two-years-after-jillian-ludwigs-death-loved-ones-prepare-to-celebrate-her-life-with-nashville-jams-for-jill/