Joe McKnight, former New York Jets running back and return specialist, was killed in a road rage shooting in New Orleans on Thursday. He was 28.
McKnight was reportedly shot and killed in an intersection in Terrytown, Louisiana, following an argument Thursday afternoon, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the New York Daily News noted.
The alleged shooter, 54-year-old Ronald Gasser, remained on the scene after the incident and handed over his gun to authorities before being taken into custody, according to The Times-Picayune.
A witness told the newspaper that she watched as the shooter yelled at McKnight at the intersection. McKnight was “trying to apologize” when Gasser opened fire on him, shooting him multiple times, the Daily News noted.
Gasser then “stood over” McKnight and said “I told you don’t f*** with me” before firing another shot, according to the witness.
“Mr. Gasser did in fact shoot Mr. McKnight,” Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand told reporters, according to Nj.com.
The Jets released the following statement in the aftermath of the incident: “Joe McKnight was a loving father and a genuine, kind-hearted person. It is sad when life is taken in what appears to be such a senseless act of violence. Joe, you will be missed.”
McKnight was drafted to the NFL in 2010 and played for the Jets from 2010 to 2012 before being cut in 2013, The New York Times noted.
McKnight would go on to play just two more games in the NFL, both with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014, the Times noted.
McKnight still holds a franchise record as a former Jet, as his 31.6 yards per kickoff return led the NFL in 2011, and his 107-yard touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens remains the longest play in team history, the Times noted.
Twitter users remembered McKnight.
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