New Orleans Saints: Details Of The Tragic Will Smith Shooting

Details continue to emerge on the shooting death of former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith.

By now news is spreading on the situation developing down in Louisiana.  Former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith, one of the key members of their defense that helped win the Super Bowl in 2009, was shot late last night on April 9th and pronounced dead on the scene.  Here are some of the tragic details on the incident.

"“Former New Orleans Saints player Will Smith was fatally shot following a three-car accident in the Lower Garden District late Saturday, according to city coroner Dr. Jeffrey Rouse. His wife was wounded, and a 30-year-old man who has not been identified is in custody following a deadly incident that possibly occurred due to road rage.Smith, 34, was shot about 11:30 p.m. near the corner of Sophie Wright Place and Felicity Street.Police said Smith was driving east on Sophie Wright Place when his silver Mercedes G63 SUV was struck from behind by an orange Hummer H2. That collision caused the Mercedes to strike the rear of a dark Chevrolet Impala, in which there were two people who were described as acquaintances of Smith.Smith and the driver of the Hummer exchanged words, police said. The driver of the Hummer then drew a handgun and shot Smith multiple times. Smith’s wife — Racquel Smith, a passenger in the Mercedes — was shot twice in the right leg.Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife was taken to University Medical Center for treatment.Police were interviewing the driver of the Hummer early Sunday, and officers had recovered the gun used in the deadly shooting. In a statement, police said the Hummer’s driver waited at the scene of the shooting for police to arrive.”"

All of this after Smith and his wife were enjoying an evening of fun down in the French Quarter as his Instagram showed.  Needless to say the reaction around the NFL community is one of shock and dismay.  Smith is by far not the first notable athlete to fall to this sort of mindless violence.  Smith has even gone on record at times imploring New Orleans, which has become notable for its murders over the past few years, to stop the slaughter.

Prophetic to say the least, and saddening in the extreme.  As hard as Will Smith and his teammates worked to bring that city back to life following Hurricane Katrina, it’s nothing short of a colossal setback that one of their champions should be so wasted in this manner.  Over a stupid fender bender.