NSU mourns the loss of junior safety Ronnie Caldwell

NATCHITOCHES, La. (KALB/NSU) - Northwestern State University is mourning the loss of one of their own, Ronnie Caldwell, who was shot and killed on October 12 on University Parkway.

Police are still investigating at this time. STORY HERE

The Natchitoches Police Department is investigating a homicide that happened Oct. 12 on University Parkway. Ronald Caldwell, 21, of Manor, Texas, was killed.

Northwestern State has canceled Saturday’s football game at Nicholls after the passing of junior safety Ronnie Caldwell.

Caldwell, 21, came to Northwestern State after transferring from Tyler Junior College, following the 2021 football season.

Members of the NSU community are sharing their thoughts in the wake of this tragedy.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of one of our current students, Ronnie Caldwell Jr. Ronnie was a talented junior business administration major from Austin, Texas. Ronnie’s dedication to the community was truly inspiring, as evidenced by him spending the summer coaching a local youth baseball team, teaching those children the values of competition and sportsmanship. During these difficult times, I extend my deepest condolences and offer my prayers to Ronnie’s family and friends. The entire NSU community shares in your grief and sorrow. Counseling and support services are available to all students, faculty, and staff who may need them. While we mourn the loss of Ronnie, let us also honor and celebrate his life. Ronnie will forever be cherished as a beloved member of the NSU family.”
Dr. Marcus D. Jones, President of NSU

“The Northwestern State family has suffered a tremendous loss,” head football coach Brad Laird said. “Ronnie Caldwell was a young man who had a bright future ahead of him on or off the football field. He was our voice in the locker room. When Ronnie spoke, others listened. The respect our football team had for Ronnie was evident. 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. Our hearts are broken and ache for Ronnie’s family and friends. 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.”
Northwestern State Football Coach Brad Laird

Mayor Williams statement — Mayor Williams statement(City of Natchitoches)

Ronald Caldwell — Ronald Caldwell(Chris Reich NSU Photographic Services)

Caldwell appeared in all 11 games in 2022, starting 10, and finished seventh on the team in tackles. He had yet to play in a game in 2023 because of an injury sustained in preseason camp.

Despite the injury, Caldwell traveled with the team throughout the 2023 season, serving as a de facto defensive assistant coach, communicating with coaches in the press box via headset during games.

Caldwell twice had six tackles in a game in 2022 and added a career-high two tackles for loss in the Demons’ Nov. 5 win at Texas A&M-Commerce. Following the season, Caldwell was named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Fall Honor Roll, which honors student-athletes who record at least a 3.0 grade point average during their semester of competition.

A business administration major from Austin, Texas, Caldwell spent the summer of 2023 helping coach a local youth baseball team.

Ronald Caldwell — Ronald Caldwell(Chris Reich NSU Photographic Services)

GoFundMe account made for Ronnie Caldwell

A GoFundMe account has been created to help support the family of Ronnie Caldwell.

A GoFundMe account has been created to help support the family of Ronnie Caldwell, the Northwestern State University football player who was shot and killed early Wednesday morning near campus.

To get to the GoFundMe account, click here. The organizers of the fundraiser said the money will go towards burial costs.

Caldwell’s family wrote a heartfelt statement underneath the GoFundMe page saying, “On October 12, 2023, our family was crushed with the devastating news that Ronnie’s life was taken so abruptly and senselessly from gun violence while attending school in Louisiana at Northwestern State University. Ronnie touched many lives in his short time here on Earth and was the heart and soul of his family.”

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