Joe McKnight Shooting Update: Ronald Gasser In Jail On Manslaughter Charge

Ronald Gasser, who authorities say shot and killed former NFL running back Joe McKnight during a reported “road rage” incident, has reportedly been jailed on a charge of manslaughter, The New Orleans Advocate reported Tuesday.

The Advocate also reported that the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department called for a press conference at 10 a.m. CST, or 11 a.m. EST.

Gasser encountered McKnight, who starred in college at the University of Southern California before moving on to the NFL with the New York Jets, on Thursday in Terrytown, Louisiana, roughly five miles southeast of New Orleans, and reportedly shot him three times. Gasser stayed at the scene and waited for police to arrive. He was jailed but then released Friday without charges.

Gasser reportedly admitted to shooting McKnight, 28, but speaking at a press conference Friday Sheriff Newell Normand said his force was still conducting interviews and gathering information. The incident has taken on racial tones with Gasser being white and McKnight black.

“This investigation is not going to be moved, influenced, coerced or changed in any way by any external force, comments or otherwise,” Normand told reporters. “I can’t control what’s on the social networks, and if we want to continue to be silly, that’s fine.”

A picture of Gasser handcuffed on the ground, presumably right after the incident and when police had arrived, circulated widely Friday.

A witness, speaking to The Times-Picayune, said she saw a man yelling at McKnight, who was trying to apologize, and said the same man shot McKnight “more than once” and said, "I told you don't you f--- with me" before shooting him again.