Ronald Gasser Formally Charged for Shooting & Killing Joe McKnight

Sheriff Newell Normand had said in a press conference Friday that officials would take their time with the investigation, and do it “in the appropriate way”.

On Tuesday, a day after Gasser was arrested and charged with manslaughter, the sheriff said Gasser had been released for strategic investigative reasons and because authorities needed to talk to witnesses. “We just want it to be taken care of the right way”, Johanna McKnight said. So, I had a statement.

Normand indicated during a press conference last week that the probe of McKnight’s shooter includes consideration of Louisiana’s stand-your-ground law.

It’s not clear whether Gasser has an attorney.

A witness told The Times-Picayune that McKnight was “trying to apologize” when Gasser shot him three times. Then, they both hit a red light, where McKnight reportedly got out of his auto and approached Gasser’s vehicle, allegedly leaning in at eye level at the passenger-side window.

The two were surrounded by other vehicles and Gasser told deputies that McKnight made multiple threats against his life.

Mr McKnight left his vehicle to continue the argument when Gasser, who was still sitting in his auto, pulled out a pistol and shot the former National Football League player three times, said the sheriff.

Normand defend the Tuesday arrest, saying that more witnesses came forward over the weekend – people who likely would not have gone to police if they knew a suspect was already in custody – and their accounts helped prosecutors build a strong case against Gasser. It should be noted that McKnight was unarmed when he approached Gasser’s vehicle, although a handgun belonging to his stepfather was found in his vehicle.

Normand admonished critics of the investigation and those who perpetuated the story. You did what was in the best interest of the community and you’re suffering for it and I feel bad for you. I do.

To that, he explained that he thinks people jump to conclusions too quick, while striking up enough nerve to recite stats about black-on-black crime in the area – strangely straying away from the McKnight case update, temporarily. “Not a single witness has said … a single racial slur was uttered”, the sheriff said. Normand said that the two “engaged each other many times”. “Why? I don’t know”.

Manslaughter is punishable by up to 40 years in prison. Gasser was brought in after the shooting by police but then released without being charged, leading to furor on social media from activists who said Gasser’s release and McKnight’s murder were racially motivated.

McKnight didn’t have a gun on his body at the time of the shooting.

The decision not to immediately charge Gasser sparked outrage nationwide.

McKnight, who played three seasons with the New York Jets, was honored with a moment of silence at the team’s Monday-night game against the Indianapolis Colts.