The Northwestern State Demons have canceled the remainder of their 2023 college football season following the shooting death of safety Ronnie Caldwell earlier this month.
Caldwell, age 21, died on Oct. 12 from injuries suffered when he was shot multiple times. The case remains under active investigation.
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The junior defensive back had transferred from Tyler Junior College, coming to Northwestern State as a Cedar Park, Texas native. While an injury had prevented him from playing this season, Caldwell was assisting the program by serving as a volunteer assistant coach with his experience having an influential role on the defensive backs.
Caldwell was praised as a leader in the locker room by head coach Brad Laird. While he didn’t play a snap for the team this year due to his injury, Laird praised Caldwell’s leadership and spoke highly about the influence he had on the locker room and the young players around him.
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Northwestern State announced in the days following Caldwell’s death that it was canceling the remainder of its season. In addition, the university accepted Laird’s resignation. Laird, age 50, took over as the Demons’ head coach in 2018 after serving as an assistant for six seasons.
“Ronnie was a beloved member of our community, and we miss him dearly. While our instinct was to return to the field of play following his death, we’ve since learned that the hurt on our team was too deep. Now it is in the best interest of our players, coaches and staff to pause and to take this time to mourn, to heal and to support Ronnie’s family.”
Northwestern State president Marcus Jones on the death of Ronnie Caldwell (H/T ESPN)
Details on the death of Northwestern State football player Ronne Caldwell
According to KTBS 3, Ronnie Caldwell Jr. was killed on Oct. 12 inside his apartment at the Quad Apartments, which is an off-campus residence across from Northwestern State University. While no one has been formally charged in his death, two men were arrested on gun and rug charges.
Houston Fox’s 26 reported that Maurice Campbell II, age 22, was arrested on Oct. 22 by detectives and the local Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force. Campbell, a football player at Northwestern State, was charged with obstruction of justice, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.
Caldwell’s family announced this past week that they have hired a law firm and are in the predatory stages of a lawsuit against Northwestern State, Laird and other parties for failing to take action that could’ve prevented their son’s death.
In a news conference, attorney Tony Pradia of the Cox Pradia Law Firm stated legal action is being pursued against the university. The family is adamant that the university is responsible for not ensuring their son’s safety, with Pradia arguing that Laird, NSU and the Quad Apartments complex management bears responsibility for Caldwell’s death.
“We are aware of today’s press conference held by the Caldwell family. The cause of Ronnie’s death is still under active investigation by the Natchitoches Police Department, and it would be inappropriate for us to comment or speculate at this time. The police have our full cooperation and support. We continue to send our deepest condolences and sympathy to the Caldwell family, and we remain focused on helping our student-athletes and the broader NSU community to heal from this tragedy.”
Northwestern State’s statement on the lawsuit brought forth by Ronnie Caldwell Jr’s family (H/T Fox 26)
The family stated that Ronnie Caldwell Jr. contacted his father on Oct. 9, telling him that his new roommate allegedly threatened him with a firearm. His father then called Laird, who told him that Caldwell Jr. would be relocated to another room. Three days later, Laird called the family to inform them their son was killed.
