In very sad news, former New Orleans Saints baller Will Smith was shot and killed during an apparent road rage incident in N.O. last night where his wife was also injured. Details inside….
It’s being reported former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith was shot and killed in New Orleans last night.
The former NFLer, who helped the Saints win its only Super Bowl championship in 2009, was shot multiple times in the chest and was pronounced dead on the scene in an apparent road rage incident.
According to ABC News, Will, 34, was involved in a traffic collision with a Hummer H2 in New Orleans's Lower Garden District on Saturday night. Law enforcement confirmed a Hummer ran into the back of Will’s Mercedes SUV at an intersection where Will and the Hummer driver got into a heated argument.
Things quickly escalated. In a fit of rage, the Hummer driver pulled out a gun where Will was reportedly shot six times in the chest and his wife, Raquel Smith, was also injured, suffering from two gun shot wounds to the leg.
The alleged gunman is 28-year-old Cardell Hayes (seen above). He was arrested after the shooting and charged with second-degree murder. Police said a gun was recovered from the scene.
The tragic news has rocked the NFL with many players and coaches sending out their condolences to the Smith family on social media. Saints head coach Sean Payton tweeted:
Heavy Hearts w the senseless passing of our Team Capt. Will Smith. Pray for his wife's recovery and their children. pic.twitter.com/VomR0Sut6M
— Sean Payton (@SeanPayton) April 10, 2016
A few Saints players offered up prayers for the Smith family:
My prayers go out to the Smith family #RIPWillSmith
— Nathan Stupar (@thenastynate54) April 10, 2016
Woke up an Can't make sense of this senseless killing of Will Smith, Lord please watch over the Smith family and give them strength.
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) April 10, 2016
The Saints' Vice President of Communications Greg Bensel also took to his Twitter account, calling the ordeal a senseless killing and issued a call for action in Will’s honor. He tweeted:
A senseless and tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Will Smith - his wife Racquel - his children William, Wynter and Lisa.
— Greg Bensel (@GregBensel) April 10, 2016
these senseless killings in our city MUST STOP- let's all rally now in earnest in Will Smith's honor & in his name to do something tangible
— Greg Bensel (@GregBensel) April 10, 2016
Will leaves behind three young children, William, Wynter and Lisa. His wife is currently recovering in the hospital and is expected to be OK.
Hours before the shooting, Will posted a lovey dovey selfie with his wife Raquel at the French Quarter Festival that he captioned, “Having a blast at the #fqf2016"
So sad.
We send our deepest condolences to the Smith Family during this tragic time.
Photos: Will's IG/New Orleans Police Department
