Northwestern State football player Ronnie Caldwell was shot and killed early Thursday morning near the NSU campus.

Natchitoches Police said the shooting about 1 a.m. at an apartment complex. When police arrived they found Caldwell suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The coroner’s office pronounced Caldwell dead at the scene.

Caldwell, a junior safety from Austin, Texas, was 21 years old.

Natchitoches Police said the investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been made, said Cpl. John Greely, a spokesperson for the department. Greely said Caldwell’s body was found between two buildings at the complex where he lived.

Thursday afternoon, winless Northwestern State canceled its Southland Conference game at Nicholls State that was set for Saturday. School officials said they would make a decision on the rest of the season later.

“Ronnie Caldwell was a young man who had a bright future ahead of him on or off the football field,” NSU head coach Brad Laird said in a news release issued by the school. “He was our voice in the locker room.

“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.”

The tragedy hit close to McNeese State. Two of the school’s programs, volleyball and soccer, played host or will host Demons teams this week. Thursday night the volleyball teams met in Lake Charles while the women’s soccer squads are set to meet tonight.

A moment of silence is set before the events.

“What happened today at Northwestern State is a heartbreaking tragedy,” McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer said. “I really have no words. I’m just overwhelmed with sadness.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Caldwell family and the entire Northwestern State community.”

McNeese is scheduled to host the Demons in football for homecoming on Oct. 28.

“McNeese will do whatever it can to help Northwestern State in this tragic time,” Schroyer said.

Caldwell had yet to play this season after suffering a preseason injury. He played in all 11 games last year, starting 10 of them, after transferring from Tyler (Texas) Junior College.

Earlier this month he was named the Northwestern State Student-Athlete of the Month. He was named to the SLC Commissioner’s Fall Honor Roll in 2022.

“The “Southland Conference is heartbroken to learn of the passing of Northwestern State football student-athlete Ronnie Caldwell Jr. this morning,” SLC Commissioner Chris Grant said in a statement. “Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to Ronnie’s family, friends, teammates, classmates, and the entire Northwestern State campus.

“Our community is devastated and in mourning in the wake of this news. There are not adequate words that can express the pain we are feeling for this tragic loss.

“The Southland Conference family stands ready and available to support anything the Northwestern State community may need during this time of grief. Our focus remains with Ronnie’s family and those close to him who are mourning his loss.”

Caldwell is the second SLC athlete to be killed by gunfire in the last 16 months. Houston Christian basketball player Darius Lee was gunned down in his hometown of New York while home on summer break on June 20, 2022.