Ronnie Caldwell, a junior safety on the Northwestern State football team, was shot and killed in a homicide near his apartment complex in Natchitoches, Louisiana, on Thursday morning, October 12, 2023. He was 21 years old.
| Name | Ronnie Caldwell |
|---|---|
| Age | 21 |
| Position | Safety |
| Team | Northwestern State Demons |
| Injury | Suffered an injury during preseason camp that sidelined him for the 2023 season |
| Shooting | Shot and killed near his apartment complex in Natchitoches, Louisiana, on October 12, 2023, around 1:08 a.m. |
| Suspects | Two suspects identified, but no arrests made yet |
| Funeral | October 16, 2023, at 11 a.m. at St. James Baptist Church in Austin, Texas |
| Memorial | October 17, 2023, at 6 p.m. at Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches, Louisiana |
| GoFundMe | Raised more than $40,000 out of a $50,000 goal as of October 13, 2023 |
| Homepage | @factynews.com |
Ronnie Caldwell: A promising player and a respected leader
Caldwell was a transfer from Tyler Junior College in Texas, where he played for two seasons and earned All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference honors as a sophomore. He joined the Northwestern State Demons in 2022 and started 10 of the 11 games he played in, recording 42 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. He was also named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll for his academic achievements.
Ronnie Caldwell was expected to be a key contributor for the Demons in 2023, but he suffered an injury during preseason camp that sidelined him for the season. Despite his setback, he remained involved with the team as a “de facto defensive assistant coach”, according to the school’s athletic department. He also volunteered as a coach for a local youth baseball team in the offseason.
Caldwell was described by his coaches and teammates as a devoted friend, brother and son, who had an ever-present smile and a bright future ahead of him. He was also a vocal leader in the locker room, who commanded respect and inspired others with his passion and enthusiasm.
“Ronnie Caldwell was a young man who had a bright future ahead of him on or off the football field,” Northwestern State head coach Brad Laird said in a statement. “He was our voice in the locker room. When Ronnie spoke, others listened. The respect our football team had for Ronnie was evident.”
A tragic and senseless shooting
According to the Natchitoches Police Department, officers responded to a report of a shooting at an apartment complex on University Parkway, near Northwestern State’s campus, around 1:08 a.m. on Thursday. They found Ronnie Caldwell at the scene suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. They attempted to provide aid to Caldwell, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office.
The motive and circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation. The police said they have identified two suspects in the case, but no arrests have been made yet. They are asking anyone with information to contact them.
The shooting shocked and saddened the Northwestern State community, as well as the broader college football world. The school canceled its game against Nicholls State, which was scheduled for Saturday, October 14, as a result of Caldwell’s death. The school said it will make decisions on its remaining five games at a later time.
“The Northwestern State family has suffered a tremendous loss,” Northwestern State president Marcus D. Jones said in a statement. “The entire NSU community shares in your grief and sorrow.”
A legacy of love and inspiration
As the Northwestern State community mourns the loss of Ronnie Caldwell, they also remember him for his love for football and his dedication to his team. His life was marked by resilience, courage and joy, and his legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew him. Laird said
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.
Caldwell is survived by his parents, Blanche and Ronnie Sr., his four sisters, Khrii, Khonni, Breonna and Khlaeya, and his three brothers, Khron, Kaedon, and AC.
A funeral service for Caldwell will be held on Monday, October 16, at 11 a.m. at St. James Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. A memorial service will also be held on Tuesday, October 17, at 6 p.m. at Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches.
The school has set up a GoFundMe page to help Caldwell’s family with funeral expenses. As of Friday morning, more than $40,000 had been raised out of a $50,000 goal.
“Ronnie Caldwell was more than just a football player,” the GoFundMe page reads. “He was a son, brother, friend, and teammate who touched many lives with his kindness and spirit.”
