Joe McKnight shooting: Sheriff denies reports from alleged eyewitnesses

Updated


Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand denied three alleged eye-witness accounts of Joe McKnight's shooting during a press conference on Friday, including a statement that McKnight issued an apology to shooting suspect Ronald Gasser.

"Mr. Gasser did not stand over Mr. McKnight and fire shots into him," he said. "The three casings were located in the vehicle. Mr. Gasser was in his vehicle when he fired three shots.

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"There is no video that we've been able to recover at this point in time," he added. "We have no eyewitness account of an apology from Mr. McKnight to Mr. Gasser."

Also Read: Ex-NFL Player Joe McKnight Fatally Shot in New Orleans

On Thursday, former NFL player McKnight was shot and killed in Louisiana in what authorities are calling a road rage incident. Glasser was identified as the suspect in the shooting. However, he was released from custody overnight without being charged, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman Col. John Fortunato told ABC News. He said there was no reason to continue holding Gasser.

Read reactions to McKnight's sudden passing

The Times-Picayune reported that a witness observed McKnight arguing with another man at an intersection in Terrytown. She said McKnight was trying to apologize when the man drew a gun and shot McKnight multiple times.

The shooter then allegedly stood over McKnight and said, "I told you, don't you f– with me" before firing again.

Also Read:Joe McKnight Shooting: White Suspect's Release Sparks Outrage on Social Media

According to ABC News, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said at a press conference Thursday night that Gasser stayed at the scene of the shooting and "relinquished his weapon to our officers" when he was taken into custody.

After his release, various people on social media were outraged, asking how Gasser could've been released if he admitted to the crime and handed over his weapon to officers.

"In this state, there are some relative statutes that provide defenses to certain crimes. Officers have those same defenses," he told news outlets. "So when we shoot and kill somebody — it's a homicide — the question is, is it justified?"

In response to comments on social media, he said, "I've been already accused of dropping the ball and not doing this or doing that because we released Mr. Gasser last evening after we took his statement. As I said before: External influences will not motivate this office, one way or the other, as to how we are going to conduct this investigation strategically. And because there are witnesses that are out there, I can not go into this at this point in time."

He added, "Everyone wants to make this about race. This isn't about race. And I'll just throw this out, folks... the gentleman that raised Joe McKnight Jr. used to work for this office. So this office and many of the officers that are sitting over here, they close to his family."

On Thursday night, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman Col. John Fortunato added that a grand jury or the district attorney will decide whether or not charges should be filed against Gasser.

"People can Monday morning quarterback what we've done — Mr. Gasser is not going anywhere, he has been completely cooperative with us," added Normand.

Read original story Joe McKnight Shooting: Sheriff Denies Reports From Alleged Eyewitnesses At TheWrap

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