Ex-NFL running back Joe McKnight was murdered in a road rage shooting in the New Orleans area ... law enforcement tells TMZ Sports.
The incident occurred at 2:43 PM. Family members identified the 28-year-old at the scene.
A witness told NOLA.com ... she saw McKnight trying to apologize to another man after some sort of traffic incident.
The witness says the man then pulled out a gun and shot McKnight -- and while standing over him screamed, "I told you not to f*** with me" ... then fired another shot into his body.
McKnight was a high school phenom -- considered the best running back in the country.
He played college ball at USC. He was drafted by the NY Jets in 2010.
In a statement to TMZ Sports, the Jets said, "Joe McKnight was a loving father and a genuine, kind-hearted person. It is sad when life is taken in what appears to be such a senseless act of violence. Joe you will be missed."
Joe was currently playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League.
Roughriders president and CEO Craig Reynolds issued a statement saying, "We are saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Joe McKnight."
"Losing a member of our Rider family this way is an unthinkable occurrence. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joe’s family, teammates and coaches."
Cops say they have detained a man they believe to be the shooter -- 54-year-old Ronald Gasser.
Cops say McKnight did NOT have a gun at the time of the shooting.
Emergency responders tried to administer CPR but to no avail.
The man who shot and killed Joe McKnight is a 54-year-old white male named Ronald Gasser ... the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office tells TMZ Sports.
Law enforcement says Gasser is currently detained and being questioned about why he shot the 28-year-old football star.
At this point, he has NOT been formally arrested.
Cops say Gasser stayed at the scene of the shooting until cops arrived. Once law enforcement got to the scene, he handed over his gun without further incident.
Cops say they're investigating the shooting as a road rage incident -- and are trying to find out what happened in the moments before the former NY Jets running back was killed.
Joe McKnight -- Shooter Is 54-Year-Old White Male ... Cops Say
this is fukked up
