Shooter Alleges Joe McKnight Was on Steroids, Pain Pills, Weed Before Death

Ronald Gasser—the man who allegedly shot and killed Joe McKnight during a road rage incident in Louisiana on Dec. 1—says the former USC Trojans and New York Jets running back was under the influence of several substances at the time of his death. 

According to TMZ Sports, Gasser filed court documents stating he learned McKnight "was under the influence of marijuana, pain pills, and anabolic steroids at the time [he] attacked." 

The source of those allegations was not revealed. 

Gasser also claimed McKnight was "violent and erratic" at the time of the incident in the court filing. 

According to police in New Orleans, Gasser "said in his statement he was irritated by that and set out after Mr. McKnight," per Perez. 

The two then exited their vehicles and were involved in a verbal altercation that preceded the shooting. 

"At some point, Mr. McKnight exits his car and goes to Mr. Gasser’s car," Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said, according to Perez. "There continues to be a verbal altercation. At some point in time during that verbal altercation, Mr. Gasser pulls his weapon from between the seat and console and fires three shots at Joe McKnight, killing him." 

Gasser was initially arrested and charged with manslaughter on Dec. 6, per USA Today's A.J. Perez, and his bond was set at $500,000. 

In February, Gasser was indicted on a second-degree murder charge and his bond was raised to $750,000. If convicted, he could face life in prison.