INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Will Smith, Former Ohio State And New Orleans Saints Player, Shot And Killed In Road Rage Incident

By Pam Wright
Published on: 03:04 PST, Apr 10, 2016

Will Smith, a former Ohio State Buckeyes player and New Orleans Saints defensive end, was shot to death in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District on Saturday night following a traffic collision, an apparent victim of road rage turned violent, the coroner’s office confirmed.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Smith, 34, was shot after words were exchanged with the driver of a Hummer H2 that rear-ended his Mercedes G63 SUV, which caused the football player to strike another vehicle, police said.

Smith was killed after being shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife, Racquel, also 34, was shot twice in the right leg and was taken to a hospital.

On Sunday, New Orleans police department announced via Twitter that they had arrested Cardell Hayes, 28, and booked him with second degree murder in the death of Will Smith.

Smith’s family released a statement Sunday morning.

“On behalf of the Smith family, we are thankful for the outpouring of support and prayers. We ask that you continue to respect the family’s privacy as they grieve the loss of a devoted husband, father and friend.”

The New Orleans Police Department released a statement about the violent encounter between Smith and the driver of the Hummer.

“The 34-year-old male victim’s vehicle was traveling eastbound on Sophie Wright Place when his vehicle was hit in the rear by a Hummer H2. The collision caused the victim’s Mercedes G63 SUV to strike the rear of a [Chevrolet] Impala who was traveling along with the victim. 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 in the leg. The male victim was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Police said Hayes was arrested and being interviewed, and officers on the scene recovered the handgun used in the shooting.

The Saints also confirmed Smith’s death, with a spokesman tweeting a statement.

According to ESPN, Smith was drafted out of Ohio State by the Saints with the 18th overall pick in 2004 and spent all nine of his professional seasons with the Saints. He retired after the 2012 season. A Pro Bowler in 2006, Smith ranks fourth in Saints history with 67.5 career sacks, with a career-high 13 during the Saints’ 2009 Super Bowl season.

Ohio State Buckeyes’ coach Urban Meyer also tweeted his shock over the death of the former Ohio State player.

Sadly, Smith had tweeted from New Orleans mere hours before his death.

According to the Canal St. Chronicles, the alleged shooter, Hayes, is being held in court pending a hearing over the incident that killed Will Smith. According to the newspaper, this isn’t Hayes’ first encounter with the law. In 2014, he pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a weapon and drug paraphernalia.

[Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images]

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