Los Angeles (AFP) – Friends and ex-teammates of slain former New York Jets player Joe McKnight expressed outrage Friday 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 early Friday after being questioned following the shooting death of McKnight.
Newell Normand, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff, told a media briefing Gasser had admitted to shooting McKnight during what was described as a road-rage incident.
However Normand defended the release of Gasser, saying that due process of the investigation must take priority.
“Out of fairness and equity to the life that Joe McKnight lived, as well as the life that Ronald Gasser lives, this investigation is not going to be moved or influenced in any way by any external force,” Normand said, 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 (expletive) with me,” the paper quoted a witness as saying.
News of Gasser’s release was greeted with incredulity by several current and former NFL players.
“Help me understand this shit,” New York Giants player Damon Harrison wrote on Twitter. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Shoot in the air and you’re in jail for at least a week. Lord help us all.”
Former NFL player Damien Woody, who now works as an analyst for ESPN, chimed: “I try to be measured in these situations but how in the hell, less than 24 hours after the fact, u just let a man free who killed someone?!”
Antonio Cromartie, a free agent who played with McKnight during three years at the New York Jets, could not hide his disgust.
“I don’t get it. How in hell do you release someone who killed my brother, my friend, a father, a son, a brother, without charging him. Bull Crap,” Cromartie wrote on Twitter.
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.
McKnight also played college football with the University of Southern California Trojans.
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