Outrage after McKnight gunman is released
FRIENDS and former teammates of slain former New York Jets player Joe McKnight have expressed outrage after the gunman involved in the killing was released without charge by police in Louisiana less than 24 hours after the slaying.
Ronald Gasser, 54, was freed by police on Friday after being questioned following the shooting death of McKnight. Newell Normand, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff, told a media briefing that Gasser had admitted to shooting McKnight during what was described as a roadrage incident.
However, Sheriff Normand defended the release of Gasser, saying that due process of the investigation must take priority, adding that any violent protests in connection with the case would lead to arrests.
Witnesses to the incident on Thursday in Terrytown, Louisiana, said McKnight was trying to apologise when he was shot by Gasser, according to reports.
Other witnesses told the Times-Picayune newspaper they saw the gunman yelling at McKnight before shooting him. Gasser then stood over McKnight and said: “I told you don’t you [exple- tive] with me,” the paper quoted a witness as saying.
Antonio Cromartie, who played with McKnight at the New York Jets, could not hide his disgust. “I don’t get it. How in hell do you release someone who killed . . . a father . . . without charging him. Bull crap,” Cromartie tweeted.
McKnight played for four years in the NFL with the New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs.
He played this past season for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, where he ran for a total of 228 yards on 38 carries.