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Will Smith, former NFL star, fatally shot during road rage incident Will Smith, former NFL star, fatally shot during road rage incident
(35 minutes later)
Former Super Bowl winner and NFL player, Will Smith, was shot dead and his wife was injured on Saturday during an apparent road rage incident. Will Smith, a former defensive end for the New Orleans Saints, was fatally shot on Saturday night during a suspected road rage incident.
Police arrested 28-year-old suspect Cardell Hayes on Sunday who was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting, NOLA.com reports. Police arrested 28-year-old suspect Cardell Hayes on Sunday who was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting, NOLA.com reports.
New Orleans Police said the 34-year-old’s vehicle was hit in the rear by a Hummer H2 while he was driving in the city late last night, causing Smith’s Mercedes to collide with the back of a Chevrolet. New Orleans Police said that Smith’s vehicle was hit in the rear by a Hummer H2 while he was driving in New Orleans’s Lower Garden District, causing Smith’s Mercedes Benz SUV to collide with the back of a Chevrolet Impala.
“The male victim and the driver of the Hummer exchanged words at which time the driver of the Hummer produced a handgun and shot the male victim multiple times and his 34-year-old wife twice in the right leg,” police said in a statement.“The male victim and the driver of the Hummer exchanged words at which time the driver of the Hummer produced a handgun and shot the male victim multiple times and his 34-year-old wife twice in the right leg,” police said in a statement.
“It appears that it could possibly have been road rage,” Officer Juan D. Barnes Sr. added at a press conference. “It appears that it could possibly have been road rage,” Officer Juan D. Barnes Sr. said during a press conference.
Tributes for the former New Orleans Saints defensive footballer have poured in on social media. Friends and former teammates mourned Smith's death on social media after the incident.
“A senseless and tragic loss,” said the vice president of New Orleans communications Greg Bensel. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Will Smith - his wife Racquel - his children William, Wynter and Lisa.” Smith played football for Ohio State University and was team captain from 2005 to 2013. He spent 10 seasons with the New Orleans Saints and was a starter when they won Super Bowl XLIV. Smith will be inducted to the Saints Hall of Fame this coming fall.
Mark Ingram, who is a current player for the team, also expressed his sadness at the news. His former team issued a statement on Smith's death.
The New Orleans Saints would later issue a statement on Smith's death.
"We are devastated and saddened by Will's tragic and preventable death due to a senseless act that will leave a lasting scar on our community forever.""We are devastated and saddened by Will's tragic and preventable death due to a senseless act that will leave a lasting scar on our community forever."
Smith played football for Ohio State University and was team captain from 2005 to 2013. He was with New Orleans when they won Super Bowl XLIV and will be inducted to the Saints Hall of Fame this coming fall.