‘Jillian’s Law’ in effect July 1, acting as family’s first step toward justice

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Jillian’s Law is in effect starting July 1. That law was passed along with a sea of other new legislation from the Tennessee General Assembly.

Named after Jillian Ludwig , the 18-year-old who was killed by a stray bullet in November 2023, “Jillian’s Law” changes how the criminal justice system handles offenders labeled incompetent to stand trial.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), Ludwig was shot in the head while she was walking along the track in the Edgehill Community Memorial Gardens Park.

The alleged shooter was prosecuted in April 2023 for an assault with a deadly weapon charge but was let back on the streets after three court-appointed physicians ruled that he was incompetent to stand trial.

“Jillian’s Law” will require any person deemed incompetent to stand trial to be entered into the National Instant Background Check System, which prohibits those in a name check database from buying firearms. The bill considers anyone who has been charged with a felony or Class A misdemeanor and found to be incompetent to stand trial “to pose a substantial likelihood of serious harm.” The law will also require defendants, like in Ludwig’s case, to be admitted in an appropriate treatment facility.

“It’s just unimaginable, it’s a senseless tragedy,” said Jessica Ludwig, Jillian’s mother. “The fact that the shooter was out walking the streets after a whole list of crimes is a loophole that needs to closed. We don’t want anyone else to live this nightmare that we’re going through in losing her.

Jillian’s parents described her as driven and ambitious, with a heart full of gold. They said that she was a fierce student and that she had a passion for music. Jillian sang in her church choir when she was seven years old and planned to pursue music in her post-graduate career.

Her parents have been outspoken to Tennessee lawmakers, pleading their case about why reform is needed. Through their untimely grief, they said that the system failed their daughter.

“If you need help or if you’re mentally disabled, you need to go to a mental hospital,” Jessica said. “You can’t just be dismissed and walk back out on the streets to commit your next crime. Unfortunately, it took somebody losing her life to make a change that was so necessary.”

Jillian’s parents said that they have a responsibility to advocate for their daughter and it began with seeking justice through “Jillian’s Law.”

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