OT: Will Smith DE Saints Shot and Killed Tonight! RIP.

[BUSTAMOVE]

They have video purporting to show how it all started, but it raises questions as well. It shows Hayes stopping well before the intersection and Smith rear ending him. Hayes pulls over as if to expect Smith to pull over and maybe exchange insurance info or something, but it looks like Smith just drove around him and drove off. Hayes went after him and the tragic ending ensued.

It is sad too see such a tragic ending to what seems to be a pure road rage incident. They are now reporting that Will Smith had a loaded handgun beside him.

Seems more to be that Smith had been drinking. Tapped shooters vehicle at light. Shooter pulled over. Smith probably not wanting to get police involved, just kept going. Shooter rear ended his vehicle. Words were exchanged. Smith went to grab for his gun. Shooter fatally shot him.

Not implying in no manner he should have been shot to death. It is a horrible excuse for life. It just seems to me, there was wrongdoing on both parties. One just went too far to take a life

 

[DarrylS]

Pretty good graphic on the sequence of events...

Interactive map: Track Will Smith's final moments before fatal shooting

 

[Marqui]

Have to say this is a very strange story.

 

[MitchKumstein]

It is sad too see such a tragic ending to what seems to be a pure road rage incident. They are now reporting that Will Smith had a loaded handgun beside him.

Seems more to be that Smith had been drinking. Tapped shooters vehicle at light. Shooter pulled over. Smith probably not wanting to get police involved, just kept going. Shooter rear ended his vehicle. Words were exchanged. Smith went to grab for his gun. Shooter fatally shot him.

Not implying in no manner he should have been shot to death. It is a horrible excuse for life. It just seems to me, there was wrongdoing on both parties. One just went too far to take a life

Now, according to Deadspin and other sources, witnesses say that Smith threatened to shoot the other guy before he was killed. The lawyer for the passenger in the shooter's car is even saying that his client feels that the shooter saved his life.

The more info that comes out, the more it seems that Smith perhaps wasn't just some peace-keeping innocent who was ruthlessly gunned down without provocation.

Regardless, it seems like this entire incident could've been so easily avoided. Just pull over after the fender-bender, exchange information, and go home. Instead 3 young children are now without a father and another person's life could also effectively be over. What a waste

 

[chasa]

in my day we settled things like men with fisticuffs.

 

[Tony2046]

Video of the initial accident that shows Smith hitting Hayes.

Edit: It wasn't much of a fender bender. IMO Not sure why Hayes stops in the middle of the road.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Reports are now that Smith was shot once in the chest and up to six times in the back. I think there is more to this story than a random fender bender road rage incident. Why was Smith driving around with a loaded gun in the car? If you are carrying on for protection, wouldn't you have it holstered someplace on your body?

There are a lot of things that make no sense about this whole thing.

 

[Jlaff]

Sounds like reasonable doubt might have crept in.

 

[letekro]

Reports are now that Smith was shot once in the chest and up to six times in the back. I think there is more to this story than a random fender bender road rage incident. Why was Smith driving around with a loaded gun in the car? If you are carrying on for protection, wouldn't you have it holstered someplace on your body?

There are a lot of things that make no sense about this whole thing.

Many, many pro athletes carry weapons., so this is commonplace. It's part of the culture. My guess is that very few know how to handle them properly.

 

[letekro]

Sounds like reasonable doubt might have crept in.

Maybe. There was a gun in Smith's car, which is unremarkable in and of itself. Where was the gun and did Smith do something to indicate that he was reaching for it? Also, what is the law regarding duty to retreat in Louisiana? I doubt it is OK to get out of your car with a gun and then, when the guy you are walking towards reaches for his gun, you blow him away.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Now, according to Deadspin and other sources, witnesses say that Smith threatened to shoot the other guy before he was killed. The lawyer for the passenger in the shooter's car is even saying that his client feels that the shooter saved his life.

The more info that comes out, the more it seems that Smith perhaps wasn't just some peace-keeping innocent who was ruthlessly gunned down without provocation.

Regardless, it seems like this entire incident could've been so easily avoided. Just pull over after the fender-bender, exchange information, and go home. Instead 3 young children are now without a father and another person's life could also effectively be over. What a waste

Thats how rational people behave that want to deal with a minor issue and get on with their lives.

Smith didn't deserve to die but it does seem that something was going on between those two.

 

[scott99]

in my day we settled things like men with fisticuffs.

In my day, we settled things like men, we exchanged insurance info.

 

[scott99]

Video of the initial accident that shows Smith hitting Hayes.

Edit: It wasn't much of a fender bender. IMO Not sure why Hayes stops in the middle of the road.

Is it weird that I suddenly want a burrito ?

All joking aside. Nothing good happens when guns are involved. Both had guns, and both probably felt like tough guys because of it.

 

[RecoveringCowboy]

He's a hothead and an idiot!

Cardell Hayes, who has been charged with second-degree murder, did not know who the victim was until the next day, according to a defense attorney.

When he found out Sunday morning, he collapsed in a chair, attorney John Fuller said. Hayes was a fan of Smith, he said, and wanted to be like him.

“To be accused of murdering one of your idols is earth shattering,” Fuller said.
​

After public memorial, private funeral and burial for Buckeye, NFL player Will Smith Saturday

 

[resdubwhite]

So he's a huge fan and didn't recognise him
I doubt that

 

[Wiluven]

So he's a huge fan and didn't recognise him
I doubt that

Well, it was night time.

 

[DarrylS]

Get your popcorn out Cardell Hayes attorney wants to turn this into a circus.. read somewhere that he wants to turn this into a stand your ground case..

The La. State Police declined his request to investigate..

Cardell Hayes' attorney asks NOPD to withdraw from Will Smith case

The attorney for Cardell Hayes, the man accused of killing former Saints player Will Smith, has sent a letter to New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu accusing the police department of misconduct and asking it be withdrawn from the Smith murder investigation.

An NOPD spokesman said the investigation has been fair and the department will remain in the case.

 

[Ivan]

Get your popcorn out Cardell Hayes attorney wants to turn this into a circus.. read somewhere that he wants to turn this into a stand your ground case..

The La. State Police declined his request to investigate..

Cardell Hayes' attorney asks NOPD to withdraw from Will Smith case

He's right, Smith was having dinner with the cop Hayes family sued in a wrongful death suit. Given the suit and the social relationship it's fair to say the NOPD shouldn't be in charge of the investigation.

 

[RecoveringCowboy]

Cardell Hayes indicted for second-degree murder of Will Smith

He will be tried for 2nd degree murder.

Even if you are against the Death Penalty, I wish he would be tried for Capital Murder just to get him to sweat.