Joe McKnight Shooting Suspect Charged With Manslaughter
The suspect in the shooting of former NFL running back Joe McKnight has been charged with manslaughter, according to records from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Last week, McKnight, who played for both the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs, was killed in Terrytown, Louisiana, in an apparent road rage incident. He was 28. The suspect in the shooting was identified as Ronald Gasser, whose prompt release from prison hours after the shooting drew sharp criticism.
According to ABC News, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said at a press conference Thursday night that Gasser stayed at the scene of the shooting and “relinquished his weapon to our officers” when he was taken into custody.
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“We are interviewing a number of witnesses as well as Mr. Gasser,” Normand said at the time. “Mr. Gasser did in fact shoot Mr. McKnight and we will be releasing additional details as we get through these interviews with these witnesses as well as with Mr. Gasser.” Gasser was released because there was no reason to continue holding him in custody, sheriff’s office spokesman Col. John Fortunato had said.
A New Orleans native, McKnight was a high school football standout who was recruited to play running back for the University of Southern California in 2007. He entered the NFL Draft in 2010 and was selected in the fourth round by the New York Jets.
Also Read: Joe McKnight Shooting: Sheriff Denies Alleged Eyewitness Accounts
McKnight’s pro career proved unremarkable. He failed the Jets’ conditioning test in 2013 during training camp, per ESPN, which he blamed on dehydration. He was then arrested for outstanding traffic violations and missed practices due to what he later called a concussion. He also got into a Twitter battle with a fan, whom he challenged to a fight.
McKnight was released by the Jets in 2013, signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014. He played two games for the team and scored two touchdowns before tearing his Achilles tendon. He went on to play in the Canadian Football League and is still listed as an active player for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
A rep for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.
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