Joe McKnight's alleged killer had prior arrest stemming from road rage

Ronald Gasser, the alleged shooter in the killing of former USC and NFL running back Joe McKnight, was arrested and charged with simple battery in 2006 stemming from a road rage incident, police said.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office issued a release Friday night describing the incident that occurred on Feb. 20, 2006, between Gasser and a 51-year-old white male at the same intersection where McKnight was killed Thursday in Terrytown, La.

“During this incident, the victim/reporting person, identified only as a 51-year-old white male from Marrero, called 911 in Jefferson Parish to report that a male subject was driving a red pick-up truck unsafely on Holiday Drive,” according to the release. “The victim observed a phone number on the truck to call if the vehicle was being operated unsafely. When the victim called the phone number, an individual, later identified as Ronald Gasser, told the victim he was the one driving the red pick-up truck.

Man who allegedly shot ex-NFL, USC RB Joe McKnight released from custody

“A verbal altercation between the victim and Gasser began at that time. Once the victim reached the service station, he pulled in to begin refueling his vehicle. It was at that time Gasser, who had followed him into the station, confronted him and began to strike him with a closed fist several times.”

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The misdemeanor charge of simple battery was ultimately dismissed.

Thursday’s incident between Gasser, 54, and McKnight, 28, has been described by police as “the culmination of a road rage incident." Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said Gasser fired three shots – all hitting McKnight – through an open window after McKnight exited his vehicle.

Gasser remained at the scene, where McKnight was pronounced dead, and was taken into custody. Gasser was released on Friday without charges and had yet to be formally charged as of 9:30 p.m. ET Friday night.

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