Former Saints Defensive End Will Smith Gunned Down In New Orleans

Former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith was shot and killed late Saturday night (April 9) following a traffic accident in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans when Smith's Mercedes Benz SUV was rear-ended by Hummer H2.

According to police, Smith and the driver of the Hummer, Cardell Hayes, "exchanged words" after the fender-bender. Hayes produced a handgun during the altercation, and shots rang out. Will smith was shot multiple times, and his wife was shot twice in the right leg. When police arrived, Will Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife was rushed to a local hospital for treatment.

Hayes was taken into custody by the New Orleans Police Department, and booked on a second-degree murder charge Sunday morning (April 10).

Smith was drafted out of Ohio State by the Saints in 2004, and was a big part of their 2009 Superbowl championship. Smith was with the Saints until 2013, when he went to the New England Patriots for one year.

Head coach of the Saints, Sean Payton, tweeted his support for Smith's family.

Will Smith was only 34 years old.