Joe McKnight

HARVEY, La. — A road rage incident possibly sparked by a driver cutting off another on a nearby bridge spiraled into a shooting that left an ex-NFL player dead, authorities said, amid criticism the shooter was allowed to go free.

Joe McKnight, 28, was shot Thursday afternoon in Terrytown, across the Mississippi River from New Orleans. Authorities identified Ronald Gasser, 54, who stayed at the scene, as the shooter and released him overnight.

At a news conference Friday, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said the altercation started on a nearby bridge and proceeded into the suburb.

Witnesses reported hearing rapid gunfire after the two men were in a heated argument. Gasser shot McKnight three times from inside his car while McKnight stood outside. No charges have been filed, and some have criticized the sheriff for releasing Gasser.

Morris Reed Sr., president of the New Orleans branch of the NAACP, was part of a small group of protesters outside the sheriff's office Friday. He said they would ask the Department of Justice to open an independent investigation into the shooting.

“Until someone is charged with a crime, justice is not served,” he said on local media.

Dozens of people gathered at the scene of the shooting Friday night, holding hands in prayer and lighting candles. One woman held a sign saying “This is murder.”

Normand defended his handling of the case, saying they would investigate thoroughly. Speaking of Gasser's release, the sheriff said the state has certain “statutes” that provide a defense to certain crimes but did not go into detail.

Normand rejected media accounts speculating about the shooting. He said there's no video of the incident and Gasser did not stand over McKnight, firing. Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich said McKnight's three wounds were not consistent with being shot from above.

When asked whether the state's “stand your ground” law will play a role, Normand said: “It is one of the issues that looms on the horizon,” before saying he didn't want to give an opinion. “Stand your ground” laws give people wide latitude to use deadly force when they believe they are in danger. Dane Ciolino, a Loyola University law professor in New Orleans, said under such laws people “engaged in lawful activity in a place where they have a lawful right to be, don't have to retreat.”

He said it “... boils down to whether the killing is necessary for this man to save his life.”

Authorities have said McKnight didn't have a weapon when found.

But news that Gasser has been involved in a similar altercation at the same intersection with a driver a decade ago will likely raise further questions.

Normand said in a press release late Friday that in February 2006, a man observed a truck driving erratically and called a number on the truck, speaking to a man later identified as Gasser.

Gasser and the man got into a fight on the phone and then Gasser followed the man to a service station, confronted him and hit him several times. Gasser drove away and the victim called 911.

Investigators found Gasser and issued a misdemeanor summons for simple battery, which was later dismissed. Authorities said they are trying to determine why it was dismissed.