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Will Smith, Ex-Saints Player, Is Fatally Shot in New Orleans Will Smith, Ex-Saints Player, Is Fatally Shot in New Orleans
(35 minutes later)
Will Smith, a former defensive end for the New Orleans Saints who played on its Super Bowl championship team, was shot and killed in New Orleans late Saturday, the authorities said.Will Smith, a former defensive end for the New Orleans Saints who played on its Super Bowl championship team, was shot and killed in New Orleans late Saturday, the authorities said.
Jeffrey Rouse, the Orleans Parish coroner, confirmed in a statement overnight Saturday that Mr. Smith, 34, had died of “multiple gunshot wounds” after an exchange of words with another driver.Jeffrey Rouse, the Orleans Parish coroner, confirmed in a statement overnight Saturday that Mr. Smith, 34, had died of “multiple gunshot wounds” after an exchange of words with another driver.
The New Orleans Police Department said early Sunday that a suspect in the shooting, Cardell Hayes, 28, had been arrested and charged with second-degree murder.The New Orleans Police Department said early Sunday that a suspect in the shooting, Cardell Hayes, 28, had been arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
The shooting occurred after a vehicle collision at about 11:30 p.m. Mr. Smith was traveling in a Mercedes sport utility vehicle in the city’s upscale Lower Garden District when he was rear-ended by an orange Hummer H2, the police said.The shooting occurred after a vehicle collision at about 11:30 p.m. Mr. Smith was traveling in a Mercedes sport utility vehicle in the city’s upscale Lower Garden District when he was rear-ended by an orange Hummer H2, the police said.
The collision was powerful enough to send Mr. Smith’s Mercedes crashing into a third vehicle, a Chevrolet Impala whose occupants were part of Mr. Smith’s group, the police said.The collision was powerful enough to send Mr. Smith’s Mercedes crashing into a third vehicle, a Chevrolet Impala whose occupants were part of Mr. Smith’s group, the police said.
The driver of the Hummer and Mr. Smith “exchanged words,” and Mr. Hayes pulled out a gun and shot Mr. Smith multiple times, the authorities said. Mr. Smith’s wife, Racquel Smith, 33, was shot twice in the right leg, and was transported to a hospital.The driver of the Hummer and Mr. Smith “exchanged words,” and Mr. Hayes pulled out a gun and shot Mr. Smith multiple times, the authorities said. Mr. Smith’s wife, Racquel Smith, 33, was shot twice in the right leg, and was transported to a hospital.
Mr. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 34.Mr. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 34.
The police said that Mr. Hayes was taken into custody at the scene and that the weapon used in the shooting had been recovered.The police said that Mr. Hayes was taken into custody at the scene and that the weapon used in the shooting had been recovered.
Witnesses told The Times-Picayune that they had heard a crash, followed by six to eight gunshots. Mr. Smith was seen slumped over the steering wheel.Witnesses told The Times-Picayune that they had heard a crash, followed by six to eight gunshots. Mr. Smith was seen slumped over the steering wheel.
A statement from Mr. Smith’s family members expressed thanks for the support they had received and asked for privacy as they mourned “a devoted husband, father and friend.”A statement from Mr. Smith’s family members expressed thanks for the support they had received and asked for privacy as they mourned “a devoted husband, father and friend.”
Players and coaches who crossed paths with Mr. Smith during his college and professional football career expressed grief as well as anger on social media.Players and coaches who crossed paths with Mr. Smith during his college and professional football career expressed grief as well as anger on social media.
In a statement on Sunday, the owner of the Saints, Tom Benson, and his wife, Gayle, said the killing would “leave a lasting scar on our community forever.”In a statement on Sunday, the owner of the Saints, Tom Benson, and his wife, Gayle, said the killing would “leave a lasting scar on our community forever.”
“Will was more than an exceptional football player,” the couple said. “He was a father, a husband, a son, a brother and teammate to so many and an inspiration to countless more.”“Will was more than an exceptional football player,” the couple said. “He was a father, a husband, a son, a brother and teammate to so many and an inspiration to countless more.”
Mr. Smith was born in New York and played college football at Ohio State. He was selected by the Saints in the first round of the 2004 draft. He was named as a Pro Bowl starter in 2006 and later became a defensive team captain.Mr. Smith was born in New York and played college football at Ohio State. He was selected by the Saints in the first round of the 2004 draft. He was named as a Pro Bowl starter in 2006 and later became a defensive team captain.
In 2010, he helped the Saints win their only Super Bowl, a victory that electrified New Orleans. His career sack total, 67.5, ranks fourth highest in franchise history.In 2010, he helped the Saints win their only Super Bowl, a victory that electrified New Orleans. His career sack total, 67.5, ranks fourth highest in franchise history.
In 2012, Mr. Smith was suspended for four games for his involvement in the Saints’ bounty scandal, in which players were offered money for hits that knocked opponents from games. The suspension was later vacated.In 2012, Mr. Smith was suspended for four games for his involvement in the Saints’ bounty scandal, in which players were offered money for hits that knocked opponents from games. The suspension was later vacated.
He sustained a knee injury in 2013 that sidelined his career.He sustained a knee injury in 2013 that sidelined his career.
The Saints said Mr. Smith had three children, William, Wynter and Lisa.The Saints said Mr. Smith had three children, William, Wynter and Lisa.
He posted a photograph of his family in a 2014 tweet that promoted an initiative to help black and Latino youth.