Joe McKnight, former running back of the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs and the USC (University of Southern California) Trojans, was shot to death just outside New Orleans on Thursday. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said the incident as an apparent road rage. Joe McKnight was just 28.
"At approximately 2:43 p.m. today we received a call of a shooting that occurred here at Holmes Boulevard and Behrman Highway in Terrytown," Sheriff Newell Normand said. "Our officers arrived on the scene and immediately began giving CPR to an individual who was shot and lying on the ground, with EMS and others assisting at this location. The individual who was shot and ultimately expired has been identified as Joseph 'Joe' McKnight."
The suspect, 54 year old Ronald Gasser, didn't fled the scene. He stayed there and surrendered his weapon to the authorities. Ronald Gasser was then later taken into custody and questioned.
According to Sheriff Newell Normand, Joe McKnight did not have a weapon and Ronald Gasser did in fact shoot Joe McKnight. Any other details will be released after interviewing the witnesses. As to what specific charges will be filed against Ronald Gasser, it's still unclear said Sheriff's spokesman Col. John Fortunato.
Sheriff Newell Normand also said that he has no idea where exactly the incident started, but he stated that Joe McKnight was shot outside his vehicle and that no gun was found outside Joe McKnight's and Ronald Gasser's vehicle. Authorities haven't searched inside both vehicles until they can get a search warrant. As to the number of times Joe McKnight was shot, Sheriff Newell Normand did not release any details saying only that the coroner's office would be the one to comment on that.
Joseph "Joe" McKnight was a hometown hero in New Orleans. He was born in River Ridge, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. Joe McKnight went to John Curtis Christian High School and starred in their varsity football team. When he signed with the USC Trojans, he was considered the number 1 running back recruit in the country.
Under head coach Pete Carroll, Joe McKnight played three years for the USC Trojans from 2007-2009. He was often compared to another former USC Trojan, do-it-all running back Reggie Bush.
After three seasons with the USC Trojans, Joe McKnight left for the 2010 NFL Draft. The New York Jets drafted him in the fourth round. In three seasons with the New York Jet, Joe McKnight played 39 games, with one start. He totaled 502 yards rushing and 177 yards receiving. In 2011 and 2012, Joe McKnight was one of the NFL's top kick returners averaging 29.4 yards per return.
Amid on the field and off the field issues, the New York Jets released Joe McKnight in August of 2013. Joe McKnight then signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in January 2014. He played 2 games later that year before tearing an Achilles tendon. Joe McKnight last played for the CFL this season with the Edmonton Eskimos and Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Joe McKnight is the second NFL player to die this year as a result of an apparent road rage. Former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith was killed in April.