Parents of Ronnie Caldwell Jr. file wrongful death lawsuit - ESPN

The parents of slain Northwestern State football player Ronnie Caldwell Jr. filed a wrongful death lawsuit late Friday, naming former coach Brad Laird, the state of Louisiana through the board of supervisors of Northwestern State and the apartment complex Caldwell lived at as defendants.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court Western District Louisiana and includes counts of premises liability and vicarious liability, according to the complaint reviewed by ESPN.

Caldwell Jr.'s parents, Ronnie Caldwell Sr. and Blanche Bradley, announced last week they planned to file the suit in the wake of their son's murder on Oct. 12. Their announcement came a day after the school announced it was canceling the rest of the football season and that Laird, who was in his sixth year as the head coach, had resigned.

«We are aware of the lawsuit filed by the family of Ronnie Caldwell,» Northwestern State said in a statement. «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.»

In early October, mold was discovered in the off-campus apartment Caldwell Jr. shared with a teammate, which resulted in him being moved to a new unit within the same complex with a non-university student roommate, according to the complaint. On Oct. 9, after a series of verbal altercations with the new roommate, he pulled a gun on Caldwell Jr., the complaint said. Three days later, Caldwell Jr. was shot to death.

The roommate, John McIntosh, was arrested that day for possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance. No one has been charged with the killing.

«All I have to say is this could have been prevented,» Ronnie Caldwell Sr. said