The Nashville district attorney called on Wednesday for the Tennessee legislature to make it easier to commit someone to a mental institution after a man who was previously released for incompetence to stand trial was accused of shooting an 18-year-old college student in the head.
Belmont University student Jillian Ludwig, of New Jersey, was walking on a track in a local park when she was shot and critically wounded at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Metro Nashville Police. They arrested Shaquille Taylor, 29, after surveillance video and witness statements pointed to him as the shooter.
“Taylor was shooting at a car when a bullet hit Ludwig in the head as she walked on a track in a park across the street,” police said on social media when announcing the arrest Wednesday.
Yes he should have, but under 24-hr supervision.
Herein lies the biggest issue with those who suffer from severe mental health issues … warehousing them in a jail is stupid, yet that’s what happens almost every single time.
Maybe instead of increasing cop’s budgets exponentially, take 30% of that money and invest it in supports for people who need it, esp mentally ill people.
If he’s functioning at a kindergarten level he actually should legally be under 24 hour supervision, just like a kindergartner.
He should also have as much access to guns as a kindergartner ( zero).
We mostly need jail that’s not 100% punitive. If there were mental health services in there and a LOT less abuse, there should be zero issue with “locking up” mentally incompetent people: it would be exactly the 24/7 observation and help you’re asking for.
People needing mental health care should NEVER be in a jail. Full stop.