Ex-NFL player Joe McKnight killed in apparent road rage shooting

(FOX 32 NEWS) - A former NFL player was shot and killed over a possible road rage incident on Thursday.

Former Chiefs and Jets running back Joe McKnight was killed in a suburb of New Orleans yesterday.

The shooter, 54-year-old Ronald Gasser was released by the sheriff's office pending further investigation.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff, Newell Normand, said it's believed the situation started after one driver cut off another. Normand said shell casings found in Gasser's vehicle show he shot Mcknight three times while the 54-year-old  was still in his vehicle.

Initial witness accounts said Gasser stood over McKnight and shot him, but Normand said the autopsy reveals that is not true.

The Louisiana Sheriff's office has come under fire for it's decision to release the shooter.

"People can Monday morning quarterback what we've done. Mr. Gasser is not going anywhere, he has been completely cooperative with us and every request we have made. That's not the issue,” Normand said.

Louisiana has a "stand your ground" law that allows use of deadly force if you feel your life is in danger. 

Investigators said they will not release details until they have spoken with all witnesses.

Elmo Lee, McKnight's stepfather, called the killing senseless and said McKnight had big dreams.

"I just want everyone to know this was not a troubled kid, young man - (on camera) the boy was just trying to make it back in the NFL, that's all he wanted to do. That was his whole dream,” Lee said. “From 6 years old I've been knowing him, from 6, and for this to happen is just senseless, and it has to stop somewhere. It has to stop."