NATCHITOCHES, La. — A former Tyler Junior College football player has died from a shooting in Natchitoches, Louisiana early Thursday morning.
In a press release, Northwestern State University confirmed the death of junior safety Ronnie Caldwell, 21, from Austin.
According to ESPN, the Natchitoches Police Department said it responded to the call of a shooting and found Caldwell with multiple gunshot wounds.
"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 has canceled a football game that was scheduled for Saturday at Nicholls.
Caldwell transferred to Northwestern State from Tyler Junior College following the 2021 football season, according to Northwestern State.
As part of the Northwestern State football team, he appeared in all 11 games in 2022, started in 10 games, and finished seventh on the team in tackles. In his 2022 season, twice Caldwell has had six tackles in a game and a career-high two tackles for loss in the winning game against Texas A&M-Commerce.
Due to an injury he sustained during preseason camp, Caldwell did not play a game in the 2023 season.
Although his injury prevented him from playing, Caldwell traveled with his team. He served as a de facto defensive assistant coach and communicated with coaches in the press box via headset during games, Northwestern State said.
According to Northwestern State, Caldwell was a business administration major. He 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. During the summer of 2023, Caldwell helped coach a local youth baseball team.
"We are stunned and saddened by the sudden loss of Ronnie Caldwell," Director of Athletics Kevin Bostian said. "Ronnie was a devoted teammate, friend, brother and son. 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. Words truly cannot express the heartache we feel for Ronnie, his family, his teammates and our university community."
Northwestern State said the decisions for the remaining football games will be made as the season progresses.
The case remains under investigation, ESPN said.
