NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA: Ronnie Caldwell, 21, was a transfer from Tyler Junior College and resides in Louisiana.
He was shot dead was shot and killed on Thursday, October 12, 2023 morning of his hometown.
According to the Natchitoches Police Department, the tragic incident happened near NSU's campus at around 1.08 am, as reported by TMZ.
The police said that they were dispatched to a street near the university after 911 callers reported gunshots in the area.
However, when the officers arrived at the scene, they told the outlet that they found Caldwell suffering from gunshot wounds and he was later pronounced deceased. Meanwhile, Cardwell was a junior safety at Northwestern State University.
He played in all of Northwestern State's 11 games last season, starting 10 of them. He had 42 tackles in 2022, which was seventh on the team.
He hadn't played in any of the Demons' five games this season due to an injury during preseason camp.
The athletic department said Caldwell was serving 'a de facto defensive assistant coach' for the team this season.
Caldwell was also a business administration major and spent the offseason helping coach a local youth baseball team.
According to his NSU bio, Ronnie was the son of Blanche Bradley and he belongs to a large family.
He has four sisters, Khrii, Khonni, Breonna and Khlaeya and three brothers, Khron, Kaedon and AC.
Caldwell wanted to play in the NFL, create a health-focused business and expand his father's business.
Northwestern State cancels its game amid Ronnie Caldwell's death
After Ronnie Caldwell's death, Northwestern State University canceled the upcoming game which was scheduled for Saturday, October 14, at Nicholls State.
However, the administration said it would make a decision on the team's remaining five games at a later time.
Meanwhile, head football coach Brad Laird shared a heartfelt tribute to Caldwell with NSU Demons, "The Northwestern State family has suffered a tremendous loss."
He added, "Ronnie Caldwell was a young man who had a bright future ahead of him on or off the football field."
Brad further noted that Caldwell was the team's voice in the locker room. He elaborated, "When Ronnie spoke, others listened. The respect our football team had for Ronnie was evident."
He added, "He did not play a snap this year because of an injury, but his voice resonated with every member of our team from the first player to the 115th on our roster."
He continued in his statement, "Our hearts are broken and ache for Ronnie's family and friends."
Brad concluded his statement by saying, "His loss will be felt here at Northwestern State, in Natchitoches and in his home. We will treasure the time we spent with Ronnie and the memories we made, and we will hold him and his family in our hearts as we attempt to move forward in the days and weeks ahead."
NSU's athletic director Kevin Bostian mourns Ronnie Caldwell's death
NSU's athletic director Kevin Bostian paid tribute to Ronnie Caldwell. He said, "We are stunned and saddened by the sudden loss of Ronnie Caldwell."
Bostian added, "Ronnie was a devoted teammate, friend, brother and son." He added, "His teammates, coaches and staff members who had the pleasure of knowing Ronnie will remember his ever-present smile and the way he could light up any room when he walked in."
Bostian concluded his statement, "Words truly cannot express the heartache we feel for Ronnie, his family, his teammates and our university community."
