Absolutely terrible news out of New Orleans on Saturday night, as former Saints defensive end Will Smith was shot to death, and his wife was also wounded in the shooting.
Will Smith, a former defensive end with the New Orleans Saints, was killed and a woman was wounded in a late-night shooting on Saturday (April 9) in the Lower Garden District, according to law enforcement sources and one New Orleans Saints source with direct knowledge of the incident.
The double shooting took place around 11:29 p.m., near the intersection of Sophie Wright and Felicity streets. Smith was fatally shot and the female victim was shot in the leg, police said.
Witnesses: #Saints Will Smith shot to death in car on Camp St, wife wounded pic.twitter.com/JNoFmnZRXk
— Michael DeMocker (@MichaelDeMocker) 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
The Times-Picayune’s Michael DeMocker reports that two suspects are in custody.
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
Smith was a first round pick by Saints in 2004 out of Ohio State, and went on to play all nine of his NFL seasons (most recently in 2013) with the team. He was a key member of the Saints’ Super Bowl team in 2009, recording 13 sacks. He also was a Pro Bowl selection in 2006.
Smith posted a photo on Instagram on Saturday night with the caption “Having a blast” at French Quarter Fest.
UPDATE: According to the police statement on the incident, the shooting happened due to an altercation, after a man rear-ended Smith’s car.
Police statement on Will Smith murder. @FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/RTFpku3pgA
— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) April 10, 2016
