Current:Home > ScamsParents of Northwestern State player Ronnie Caldwell file wrongful death lawsuit against coach-LoTradeCoin
Parents of Northwestern State player Ronnie Caldwell file wrongful death lawsuit against coach
View Date:2024-12-24 01:38:48
The parents of late Northwestern State football player Ronnie Caldwell Jr. have filed a wrongful death lawsuit after the Demons safety was gunned down in an apartment complex just outside of campus last month.
Ronald Caldwell Sr. and Blanche Bradley filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court's Western District of Louisiana on Friday against former head coach Brad Laird, who resigned last week after the remainder of Northwestern State's 2023 football season was canceled, the state of Louisiana through the board of supervisors of Northwestern State and The Quad Apartment Complex, where Caldwell was shot and killed on Oct. 12.
In the lawsuit obtained by USA TODAY Sports, Caldwell's parents allege that Laird and the university didn't intervene and protect their son when alerted that Caldwell's new roommate pulled a gun on him three days before his death.
"Instead of listening to and heeding Ronnie’s cries for help to move away from his violent roommate, NSU and Coach Laird failed one of its students and star athletes," the suit reads. "Ultimately, their failure cost Ronnie his life."
According to the lawsuit, Caldwell was placed with a new roommate, who was not a college student, at The Quad Apartment Complex after mold was discovered in the previous room Caldwell shared with a football teammate. Caldwell and his new roommate were "not a good match," the suit says, and got into several verbal altercations that escalated into the new roommate pulling a gun on Caldwell on Oct. 9.
"That same day, Ronald (Caldwell Sr.) sent a text to NSU head football coach Brad Laird alerting him that he needed help, and that Ronnie (Caldwell Jr.'s) roommate had pulled a gun on him," the suit reads. "Coach Laird replied with a phone call assuring Ronald (Caldwell Sr.) that he would take expedient action and move Ronnie (Caldwell Jr.'s) to a safe location immediately."
The suit continued: "Three days later, Ronald (Caldwell Sr.) received his next call from Coach Laird at 2:07 a.m. informing him that Ronnie (Caldwell Jr.'s) had been murdered."
The Natchitoches Police Department responded to a shooting at an apartment complex just outside of campus around 1 a.m. on Oct. 12, Corporal John Greely told USA TODAY Sports. Officials found Caldwell at the scene suffering from several gunshot wounds. Officers attempted to aid Caldwell but and he was pronounced dead by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office.
“There was nothing put in place to protect my son," Bradley said during a press conference last week. "The school failed to protect my son.”
The Caldwell family is seeking monetary damages to compensate for mental anguish, pecuniary loss and funeral expenses, among other losses, on the grounds of vicarious liability and premises liability. They are requesting a trial by jury.
Northwestern State told USA TODAY Sports on Saturday that the university is "aware of the lawsuit filed by the family of Ronnie Caldwell." The statement added, "While we cannot comment on the lawsuit at this time, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Ronnie's family following this terrible tragedy."
Caldwell's roommate John McIntosh was arrested after the shooting for possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, ESPN reports.
Northwestern State football player Maurice Campbell II was arrested in connection with Caldwell's death for obstruction of justice, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, NPD announced on Oct. 20.
No one has been charged in the shooting yet. Caldwell's death remains under investigation.
Contributing: Jordan Mendoza
veryGood! (514)
Related
- KFC sues Church's Chicken over 'original recipe' fried chicken branding
- Ariana Grande Responds to Fan Criticism Over Her Wicked Casting
- Mississippi Republican Sen. Roger Wicker is challenged by Democrat Ty Pinkins
- Rudy Giuliani ordered to appear in court after missing deadline to turn over assets
- RHOBH's Erika Jayne Reveals Which Team She's on Amid Kyle Richards, Dorit Kemsley Feud
- Mississippi Republican Sen. Roger Wicker is challenged by Democrat Ty Pinkins
- Gerrit Cole, Yankees call each others' bluffs in opt-out saga: 'Grass isn’t always greener'
- How do I begin supervising former co-workers and friends? Ask HR
- Queen Bey and Yale: The Ivy League university is set to offer a course on Beyoncé and her legacy
- Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar is a heavy favorite to win 4th term against ex-NBA player Royce White
Ranking
- Satire publication The Onion acquires Alex Jones' Infowars at auction
- Man arrested on suspicion of plotting to blow up Nashville energy facility
- Easily find friends this Halloween. Here's how to share your location: Video tutorial.
- First Family Secret Service Code Names Revealed for the Trumps, Bidens, Obamas and More
- Opinion: NFL began season with no Black offensive coordinators, first time since the 1980s
- South Carolina forward Ashlyn Watkins has charges against her dismissed
- NASA video shows 2 galaxies forming 'blood-soaked eyes' figure in space
- Massachusetts Democrat Elizabeth Warren seeks third term in US Senate against challenger John Deaton
Recommendation
-
Watch out, Temu: Amazon Haul, Amazon's new discount store, is coming for the holidays
-
James Van Der Beek, Jenna Fischer and the rise of young people getting cancer
-
California voters weigh measures on shoplifting, forced labor and minimum wage
-
Which is the biggest dinner-table conversation killer: the election, or money?
-
Mechanic dies after being 'trapped' under Amazon delivery van at Florida-based center
-
MLB free agent rankings: Soto, Snell lead top 120 players for 2024-2025
-
New Hampshire’s governor’s race pits ex-Sen. Kelly Ayotte against ex-Mayor Joyce Craig
-
Man faces fatal kidnapping charges in 2016 disappearance of woman and daughter in Florida