Will Smith, who hasn't played in an NFL game since injuring his knee during the 2013 preseason, was shot to death in New Orleans following a road rage incident Saturday night. The Saints and the NFL are mourning the death of the 34-year-old.
New Orleans police issued a press release last night and said that authorities arrived at the scene at 11:29 p.m., during which Smith was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds at the scene, and his wife, Racquel, was also injured after being shot in the right leg.
Smith and his wife were hit from behind by a driver in a Hummer H2, and Smith's car hit the car in front of his after the collision. Nobody was injured in the accident, but Smith and the driver of the H2, a 30-year-old male, exchanged words. Shortly after, the assailant pulled out a handgun and shot Smith multiple times and killed him. The shooter stayed on the scene until police arrived and was taken into custody. His weapon is also in possession of the police.
The 30-year-old man was charged with second-degree murder Sunday morning.
Cardell Hayes, charged in Will Smith shooting, was New Orleans prep football star https://t.co/SqVzPaLhDq pic.twitter.com/uRd1QdH6nj
— NOLA.com (@NOLAnews) April 10, 2016
Here are some tweets from those mourning Smith's loss on Sunday:
"Heavy Hearts with the senseless passing of our Team Capt. Will Smith," Saints head coach Sean Payton tweeted Sunday. "Pray for his wife's recovery and their children."
"A senseless and tragic loss," Greg Bensel, the team's head of communications, said on Twitter. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Will Smith -- his wife Racquel -- his children William, Wynter and Lisa."
"Devastated. Lord please be with the Smith family at this tragic time. Nonsense man...," Saints running back Mark Ingram wrote.
A number of NFL teams also paid their respects.
Smith's family also released a statement:
"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."
Smith was fourth in Saints' franchise history with 67.5 sacks and 14th in tackles with 324. He was selected 18th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft and played 10 seasons with New Orleans before his injury in 2013. He missed only five games throughout his career.
