Joe McKnight Shooter Released With No Charges? – Tha Wire

Today in Tha Wire, yesterday former Jets running back, Joe McKnight, was murdered after a road rage incident in New Orleans.  The 28-year old, was unarmed and shot to death in the middle of the street, by another motorist at about 3 p.m. in Terrytown, Louisiana (a suburb on the outskirts of New Orleans.)  Several witnesses were on the scene and gave statements to authorities, as well as various other news outlets.  Many reported the same thing...that they heard the men yelling at one another and witnessed 54-year old, Ronald Gasser, opened fire on the football star.

Bystanders told Nola's Times- Picayune, McKnight was "trying to apologize" to the man, but Gasser shot the athlete multiple times anyway.  Witnesses also say, the 54-year old then walked over and stood over McKnight and said, "I told you don't **uk with me," and shot the football player again at close range.  However Sheriff Normand says that the shooter DID NOT stand over McKnight and shoot again, he also said their was no apology as well.  Peep the video below.

More details, including video featuring police and witness statements, at the time of the incident are available here.  Meanwhile, Jefferson Parish Sheriff, Newell Normand, told reporters "Gasser remained on the scene after the shooting and turned his gun in to authorities." The shooter was then taken into custody and was being questioned, the sheriff said.

What's crazy is the fact that police let this guy go!?!?!  TMZ is reporting today that the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Dept.actually released Gasser from custody sometime last night, after officials believed they had no reason to hold him any longer. Charges have not even been filed, because there are still "questions about the circumstances surrounding what led up to it."

WTH? This lunatic is free??  No charges???  What???  Last time I checked if a person shots someone multiple times for anything, they go to jail and remain there, until it's proven that they had some kind of just cause to do so.  If there is any truth to the guy shooting Joe, while standing over him..the kid was executed. It just seems crazy that they let the shooter, go a few hours after murdering someone.

I don't know maybe there's a HUGE part of this story missing or something.  Because not one time has anyone said, McKnight had a weapon or threatened the man in any way.   Hopefully we will learn A LOT more.  In the meantime the investigation is still open and could go to a grand jury or the district attorney who will decide whether or not charges should be filed.

Unfortunately, former Saints superstar Will Smith was murdered the exact same way...in the same city!!!  The difference is the shooter Cardell Hayes, who is African American, didn't get to walk after the murder.  Like Gasser, he too stayed on the scene after shooting Smith 7 times and his wife, Racquel Smith, once in the leg.  When police arrived he also, turned over his weapon, but they took him straight to jail.  Hayes was hit him with a laundry list of charges, to include 1st degree murder and attempted murder of Smith's wife.

Hayes has also been locked-up ever since the April 9th shooting, and he's too is claiming self defense in the shooting.  Ironically his trial begins this week, and if convicted Hayes is looking at a mandatory life sentence.  I will keep you posted on the ruling in this case and updated on McKnights.