Former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith was shot and killed Saturday night in New Orleans.
Smith, who played for the Saints for 11 seasons, was shot in the Lower Garden District, NOLA.com reports. His wife was also wounded as she was shot in the leg.
Apparently there was a car crash and a fight ensued, leading to shots being fired:
Police source confirms three cars involved in a crash, altercation ensued and Will Smith dead after shooting.
— Lyons Yellin WWL-TV (@LyonsYellin) April 10, 2016
Source also says two men in custody, one of whom has admitted he fired the shots.
— Lyons Yellin WWL-TV (@LyonsYellin) April 10, 2016
Police provided this statement, indicating Smith was the victim of a road rage incident:
Police statement on Will Smith murder. @FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/RTFpku3pgA
— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) April 10, 2016
Just hours before his death, Smith posted the following on Instagram:
NOLA’s Michael DeMocker shared the following about the incident:
Photo from scene: multiple people shot, 1 possible fatal, 2 in custody in Garden District pic.twitter.com/4qK2wTkZqh
— Michael DeMocker (@MichaelDeMocker) April 10, 2016
Witnesses: #Saints Will Smith shot to death in car on Camp St, wife wounded pic.twitter.com/JNoFmnZRXk
— Michael DeMocker (@MichaelDeMocker) April 10, 2016
Shooting was in nice residential area in Lower Garden District at Camp and Felicity. Several residents at police tape as police work scene.
— Evan Woodbery (@TheSaintsBeat) April 10, 2016
Photo: Former #Saint Pierre Thomas distraught at scene of Will Smith's murder on #NewOrleans pic.twitter.com/3BbaEYI1lX
— Michael DeMocker (@MichaelDeMocker) April 10, 2016
Witness at nearby house who declined to give name was on porch, heard yelling and about 5 gun shots, then ran inside.
— Evan Woodbery (@TheSaintsBeat) April 10, 2016
Tourist/Good Samaritan initially thought Smith's wife had been hit by car. Heard cries, saw her on side of street near shooting scene.
— Evan Woodbery (@TheSaintsBeat) April 10, 2016
Smith, who was 34, had 67.5 sacks in his career, all with the Saints.
Many in the football community tweeted their support for Smith:
Man I'm so hurt by this news, it can't be..
— Jarvis Juice Landry (@God_Son80) April 10, 2016
Wow life's too short, RIP Will Smith appreciate all the knowledge u gave me. Prayers up for your family ?
— Glenn Dorsey (@GlennDorsey72) April 10, 2016
Devastated. Lord please be with the Smith family at this tragic time. Nonsense man…
— Mark Ingram II (@MarkIngram22) April 10, 2016
