Former New York Jets player, Joe McKnight, was murdered in broad daylight over a road-rage dispute with 54-year-old Ronald Gasser, in Terrytown, La. last week (Dec. 1). Gasser was later released without charges, which did not go over well with the community. Sheriff Newell Normand defended the release, saying, “Everyone should pause and reflect and recognize that a rush to judgment does not equal anything. The easiest thing for me would have been, ‘Book ‘em, Danno’ … But the fact of the matter is in trying to flesh out these details … we chose not to do that.”
That all changed Tuesday (Dec. 6), when the suspect was jailed and charged with manslaughter according to Sheriff Newell Normand of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, as well as jail records obtained by the New Orleans Advocate. Gasser has already admitted to shooting McKnight, handing over the weapon he used in doing so. He’s being held without bond.
Jefferson Parish records show alleged Joe McKnight shooter, Ronald Gasser, is jailed on a count of manslaughter.
— Ramon Antonio Vargas (@RVargasAdvocate) December 6, 2016
Manslaughter, in La., is a killing committed in ‘sudden passion or heat of blood immediately caused by provocation … ‘
— Ramon Antonio Vargas (@RVargasAdvocate) December 6, 2016
Gasser was involved in another road rage incident at the very same intersection back in 2006. He followed a man after an altercation stemming from an argument at a local gas station, where Gasser proceeded to punch the victim in the face multiple times. He was later charged with simple battery, but the case was eventually dropped.
Rip Joe McKnight. Heres his 100 yard kick off return for a TD on monday night football. pic.twitter.com/PQkT0SBa7g
— Stat4Stat (@Issaac96) December 1, 2016
Charging Gasser is a step in the right direction, but justice is not truly served until a conviction, which is no sure thing as seen in the Walter Scott case.
Everybody in the world wanted to be @ReggieBush , us in New Orleans wanted to run the ball like Joe McKnight.
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) December 1, 2016
McKnight, 28, leaves behind a son and was adored by many friends, fans and family. The whole football community is still in mourning. The New York Jets held a moment of silence before their game Monday night (Dec. 5), against the Indianapolis Colts.
#RIPJoeMcKnight
Rest in peace, Joe McKnight.
Our thoughts and condolences are with his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/vtEihPomt9
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 1, 2016