Man Charged In Murder Of Former Jet Joe McKnight

In early December, former NY Jet running back Joe McKnight was shot to death in Terrytown, Louisiana.

The story at the time was muddled, as some witnesses saw McKnight and another man arguing at a traffic intersection before McKnight was shot three times. The shooter, identified as Ronald Gasser, was initially released without charges.

Sheriff Newell Normand said that a witness told them the fight started when McKnight cut off Gasser, who got mad and “set out” after McKnight. Later, both men were in their cars, windows rolled down, and arguing, when McKnight got out of his and leaned into the window of Gasser’s vehicle. That was when, according to Norman, Gasser pulled out a gun and shot McKnight three times.

Gasser has been indicted by a grand jury on one count of second-degree murder. If convicted, Gasser would face a sentence of life imprisonment at hard labor without parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. A lawyer for Gasser told the New Orleans Advocate that his client will argue that he was acting in self defense.

McKnight was born and raised in Louisiana, attended USC, and was drafted by the Jets in 2010. McKnight holds the record for the longest play in New York Jets history, a 107-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Ravens on October 2, 2011.

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