Police book 28 year old Cardell Hayes with second-degree murder of #Saints DE Will Smith
A 28-year-old man has been booked with second degree murder following the fatal shooting of New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith.
Cardell Hayes shot Will Smith during an argument after a traffic accident in the Lower Garden District about 11:30 p.m. Smith’s wife, Racquel Smith, sustained two gunshot wounds to the leg and was hospitalized.
On the passenger’s side of the car you could see where the bullet tried to exit. It was a big indentation mark on the passenger’s side door.
Hayes in 2014 pleaded guilty as a first-time offender to illegal carrying of a weapon as well as possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Advocate in New Orleans. He was sentenced to six months probation.
Smith had 67.5 sacks, the fourth highest total in Saints history, in 10 years with the organization. He was a starter on the Super Bowl XLIV championship team, helping bring the franchise its only title. He also won a national championship at Ohio State and was the No. 18 overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft.
Smith did not play in another NFL game after tearing a knee ligament in an exhibition in 2013.
Hayes was a former high school defensive tackle at 6’4, 280 pounds in high school, according to Rivals.com. Hayes had medium interest from Michigan State and several other schools had low interest. He obviously did not follow his college football path. This is his Myspace photo:
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