Northwestern State has canceled the rest of its football season and head coach Brad Laird has resigned in the wake of the shooting death of safety Ronnie Caldwell.
“Due to the loss of Ronnie and the emotional burden it has caused me, I don’t feel I can give my all to these players or this program,” Laird said in a statement Thursday.
“Any coach will tell you that their players become like family, so the loss of Ronnie was like losing a son. I love this program and this university and I know it will persevere and move forward with the competitive spirit that is at the core of our DNA.”
The Demons were 0-6 this season.
They had canceled their game against Nicholls State two days after Caldwell’s death and lost 37-20 at home to Southeastern Louisiana last week.
Caldwell, a junior, was shot and killed inside his apartment on Oct. 12.
Two people have been arrested amid the investigation of Caldwell’s death.
Neither has been charged with murder or named a suspect.
Caldwell’s teammate, Maurice Campbell, was arrested by Natchitoches (La.) police on Oct. 20 and charged with “obstruction of justice, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance,” according to ABC affiliate KTBS.
Campbell, who appeared in four games for Northwestern State this season, is no longer listed on the school’s athletics page, according to local news outlet KALB.
“We understand that this news may be concerning and want to assure the public that we are actively monitoring the situation and cooperating with the authorities to determine any additional action that the university should take at this time,” a Northwestern State spokesperson said in a statement to KTBS after Campbell’s arrest.
“It is important to remember that an arrest does not imply guilt and we must respect the legal process and the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise. We want to emphasize that the alleged actions of one individual do not reflect the values and principles of our institution. NSU is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all and will take appropriate action based on the outcome of the legal process.
“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this challenging time.”
Caldwell’s roommate, 27-year-old John McIntosh, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance and later released on bond.