Northwestern State Cancels Remainder of Football Season After Player’s Shooting Death: 'We Will Miss Him'

"Ronnie was a beloved member of our community, and we miss him dearly," the university's president said of Ronald Caldwell

Northwestern State University canceled the remainder of its football season after a player's shooting death earlier this month.

Ronald Caldwell, 21, died on Oct. 12 after being shot multiple times, police said. He was a junior safety for the Natchitoches, Louisiana university.

School officials said on Thursday that they will focus on the mental health and wellbeing of Caldwell’s teammates and staff members following the tragedy.

“Ronnie was a beloved member of our community, and we miss him dearly,” NSU President Marcus Jones said in a release. “While our instinct was to return to the field of play following his death, we’ve since learned that the hurt on our team was too deep. Now it is in the best interest of our players, coaches, and staff to pause and to take this time to mourn, to heal, and to support Ronnie’s family.”

In addition to the team taking a step back to grieve the loss, Northwestern State’s head coach Brad Laird resigned.

“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. “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.”

Assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Weston Glaser will serve as interim head coach in his absence.

Ticket refund requests will be handled by Scott Maggio, who can be reached at maggios@nsula.edu.

Related: University of Virginia Football Cancels Final Home Game Following the Shooting Deaths of Three Players

The Natchitoches Police Department responded to reports of gunshots in the 3800 block of University Parkway at approximately 1:08 a.m. on Oct. 12, per KALB 5.

Upon their arrival, they located the student-athlete, a native of Texas, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

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Caldwell’s 27-year-old roommate John McIntosh was arrested on charges of possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance. He was placed in custody at the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.

An employee for the facility confirmed to PEOPLE that McIntosh was released on Oct. 16, but was not able to provide additional information.

It is unknown if he has an attorney.

PEOPLE reached out to the Natchitoches Police Department but did not hear back.

Following news of the shooting, Jones confirmed Caldwell’s death in a statement.

He referred to Caldwell as “truly inspiring” and praised the young scholar for “spending the summer coaching a local youth baseball team, teaching those children the values of competition and sportsmanship.”

Related: 16-Year-Old Dead, 4 Injured After Shooting at High School Football Game in Oklahoma: 'Senseless Act'

Caldwell’s family was left crushed after “Ronnie’s life was taken so abruptly and senselessly from gun violence while attending school,” his loved ones stated on a GoFundMe account.

“Ronnie touched many lives in his short time here on earth and was the heart and soul of his family,” they added.

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