HARVEY - Authorities are promising a thorough investigation of the shooting death of ex-NFL player Joe McKnight as criticism of their decision to release the shooter mounts.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand says a road rage incident started on a nearby bridge and proceeded into a New Orleans suburb, ending with McKnight shot and killed.

The man identified as the shooter, Ronald Gasser, has been released with no charges.

Normand says the investigation is continuing and defended his treatment of the case.

But a local NAACP official says they'll ask the Department of Justice to open an independent investigation into the shooting.