Northwestern State and football coach Brad Laird accused of ‘failing’ Ronnie Caldwell after 21-year-old was shot dead… with family planning a lawsuit

The family of Ronnie Caldwell, the late Northwestern State football player who was shot and killed earlier this month, claims the school and former coach Brad Laird “failed” the 21-year-old.

Caldwell’s loved ones are also planning a lawsuit after the junior safety was killed in his apartment on Oct. 12. Exact details surrounding his death remain unclear, with investigations ongoing.

Northwestern State announced last week that the remainder of its season had been canceled, with Laird resigning in the wake of the tragedy. The coach described it as “like losing a son.”

At a recent press conference, the family’s attorney, Tony Pradia, declined to discuss the details of the lawsuit.

“But,” he said via ESPN, “we can say this: the university, the coach, they failed Ronnie Jr.”

Northwestern State announced the death of football player Ronnie Caldwell earlier this month

Head coach Brad Laird has resigned following the tragic shooting of the safety

According to reports Laird, Northwestern State and Caldwell’s apartment complex will all be named in the lawsuit.

A statement from Caldwell’s family claimed that security was forced to move apartments after mold was found in his unit and that his new roommate – in the same building – John McIntosh, then pulled a gun on him on October 9.

“Ronnie’s father immediately texted Northwestern State head football coach Brad Laird, warning him that he needed help and that Ronnie’s roommate had a gun pointed at him,” the statement said.

“Coach Laird responded with a phone call and assured the family that he would take immediate action and get Ronnie to a safe location. Nothing was done, the family heard no updates from the university.

“The next call the family received was from coach Brad Laird telling us Ronnie had been killed.”

McIntosh was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance. He has since been released on bail.

Caldwell’s teammate Maurice Campbell was also arrested. He was charged Oct. 20 with obstruction of justice, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

“This could have been prevented,” Caldwell’s father, Ronnie Sr., said at the news conference. “I called the coach, texted him and asked him, ‘Please move my son. Someone pulled a gun. I want you to move it. Get him out of there. Take him to a hotel until I can get there.” I’ll be there this weekend.”

“This could have been prevented,” Caldwell’s father, Ronnie Sr., said at a news conference

“Next thing I know, the next call I get from this man is at 2:07 a.m. and my son has died. How do you feel about being a man like me? I call myself protector. I’ve been protecting my entire family their entire lives and I get this call and all I’ve asked him to do is move my son. What’s so difficult?’

Laird resigned last week, claiming he could no longer give 100 percent to his job. “Because of the loss of Ronnie and the emotional burden it has placed on me, I do not feel I can give my all to these players or this program,” he said in a statement.

“Any coach will tell you that their players become like family, so losing Ronnie was like losing a son. I love this program and this university and I know they will persevere and move forward with the competitive spirit that is at the core of our DNA.”

Pradia replied, “If he was like a son, he would have protected him.”