Man who shot former Buckeye Will Smith charged with murder

A grand jury indicted New Orleans man Cardell Hayes on a charge of murder in the shooting death of former Buckeye and New Orleans Saints football player Will Smith.

Smith was shot eight times, and his wife, Raquel, was shot twice in the leg.

Hayes’ defense attorney said he was “not the aggressor,” and that witnesses saw a gun in Smith’s car.

Police corroborated the witness reports, saying they found a loaded gun in Smith’s car, though Smith’s attorney said he never brandished or carried it.

Hayes’ attorney also noted that he stayed at the scene of the shooting until authorities arrive. He has been in jail since the shooting.

Smith played as part of the 2002 National Championship team for the Buckeyes and was a leader for the New Orleans Saints during their Super Bowl-winning 2009 season.

4/11/16: Former Buckeye All-American shot and killed

The man who was voted the top defensive end of the 2000s, a former All-American for the Buckeyes, and a defensive end for the New Orleans Saints was shot and killed Saturday night in New Orleans.

Will Smith, 34, was shot in what looks to be a road rage incident by Cardell Hayes, 28, in the upscale Lower Garden District following the French Quarter Festival, which features local food and music.

Hayes rear-ended Smith’s Mercedes G63 with his Humvee H2. The two argued, and Hayes shot Smith multiple times, and shot Smith’s wife, Raquel, once. Raquel Smith was hospitalized with a leg wound.

The shooter is being held on $1 million bond on a charge of second-degree murder, though his defense attorney says that he was “not the aggressor.”

Smith was part of the 2002 National Championship team, and was a team captain while at Ohio State, according to the official Ohio State press release.

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