Friends and family of Will Smith, including teammates and coaches, gathered to pay their respects at a public memorial for the former National Football League player on Friday.
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Funeral services were held Saturday for former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith, who was shot and killed a week ago.
On Saturday, mourners included Saints coach Sean Payton and former players Jonathan Vilma and Malcolm Jenkins, who spoke at the service and consoled Smith’s widow, Racquel, who was injured in the shooting last week.
Smith, 34, was shot and killed by Cardell Hayes, 28, after a traffic altercation, police said. Smith was shot eight times, authorities said.
People view the casket of New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith during a public viewing inside the Saints training facility in Metarie, La., Friday, April 15, 2016.
New Orleans, the New Orleans Police Department exercises original jurisdiction in the investigation of Will Smith’s death. Both Ceravolo and Thomas were with Smith the night of the shooting. Hayes was arrested and is being held on $1 million bond.
In his letter, Edmonson said he had reviewed Fuller’s request but that there was no legal basis for his agency to step in on a New Orleans investigation.
Flowers aligned the roped off area of the field that fans were allowed to enter, walk around and exit, and during the walk all could stop and see the video tribute to Smith – standout plays, charitable events, portraits with his family.
State police Col. Mike Edmonson wrote to Fuller on Saturday, saying he’s confident New Orleans police can carry out an objective and professional investigation.
The team announced earlier in the week that the funeral service and burial were to be private, after a public visitation Friday at the team’s practice facility.
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In a statement, police spokesman Tyler Gamble said the homicide was getting a “fair, thorough and complete” investigation and that they would “follow the facts wherever they take us”.
