Fansided

Joe McKnight shooting suspect released from custody

By Dave Stevenson

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 17: Joe McKnight #25 of the New York Jets runs with the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the game at LP Field on December 17, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans won 14-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 17: Joe McKnight #25 of the New York Jets runs with the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the game at LP Field on December 17, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans won 14-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Ronald Gasser, a suspect in the shooting death of former NFL running back Joe McKnight, has been released from custody. 

On Thursday afternoon, the football world suffered a tragic loss. Former USC Trojans and NFL running back Joe McKnight was shot and killed in New Orleans. New Orleans police quickly found a suspect in Ronald Gasser. He reportedly was the shooter and waited for police at the scene, surrendering his weapon. Despite that, he has been released from custody.

“Gasser was released overnight and has not been charged as of yet,” said a sheriff’s office representative via The Advocate. “The matter remains under investigation.”

Though he has been released for custody, this doesn’t mean he has been absolved of anything. It simply means that, for the time being, they cannot legally hold him. So though Gasser is a free man, he could be brought back into custody if they can find enough evidence to charge him.

McKnight’s murder is due to a road rage incident in New Orleans. While driving, he got in an altercation with another driver. During McKnight’s apology to the driver, he was shot by the driver in question. Gasser surrendered a weapon over to the police. It’s likely they’re going to test it to see if it’s the weapon that was used to shoot the former Trojan.

One would think that simply having the weapon in question would be enough to hold Gasser. His quick release and the fact that McKnight is black and his Gasser is white has definitely raised eyebrows.

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A legend at USC, McKnight had the daunting task of having to follow in the footsteps of Reggie Bush and he did so admirably. He spent several seasons in the NFL, most of them with the New York Jets. Injuries forced him to retire in 2014. McKnight was killed at the age of 28.

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