Former Trojan McKnight shot and killed

Former USC running back Joe McKnight was shot and killed in Terrytown, La., a suburb of New Orleans, on Thursday afternoon, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff ’s Office.

The incident is being investigated as a possible road-rage incident, said John Fortunato, a police spokesman. Fortunato said police have identified the suspect as Ronald Gasser, a 54-year-old white male, who remained on the scene and is being questioned by homicide detectives.

According to a report by NOLA.com, an eyewitness in Terrytown saw two men in an argument near an intersection. One man was yelling at a second man trying to apologize. The eyewitness said the man who had been yelling shot the second man multiple times, then said, “I told you don’t you [bleep] with me,” before firing on the man again.

McKnight, 28, who played for the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs after scoring 15 touchdowns for USC from 2007-09, is the second NFL player this year to die as a result of a possible road-rage incident. Saints player Will Smith was killed in April.

USC’s current and former players and coaches reacted with notes of shock and sadness on social media.