Cardell Hayes, 28, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder in Smith’s death, New Orleans Police Dept. spokesman Tyler Gamble said Sunday.
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(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File). Smith was killed by bullets to the back and torso.
There doesn’t appear to be any meaningful interaction between Hayes and Smith before Saturday night’s tragic events, Fuller said.
Gun violence is not new to New Orleans. Essentially, Mathieu says Hayes knew who Smith was when he got out of his auto.
The New Orleans Fox affiliate worked backward from the scene of the shooting, tracing the route of Smith and his wife back to Sake Cafe, a Magazine Street restaurant and bar. This time, it was the Mercedes that was rear-ended, police said.
“During the argument, Hayes produced a. 45 caliber handgun and opened fire, striking Smith and his wife”.
In a statement, the school said Smith was “the leader of a defensive line and a defense” that powered the team to the championship, and that the Ohio State athletics family had “lost one of its best”.
Cordell Hayes stayed on the scene until police arrived.
Fuller brushed it off as coincidence and questioned how Hayes could have possibly known Smith had been at dinner with Ceravolo.
Cardell Hayes faces a second-degree murder charge in the shooting death of Will Smith.
Smith and his wife, who have three children, had been at the French Quarter festival, which features local music and food, in the hours before the shooting. He wouldn’t say whether he believes two guns were fired.
News of the weapons is the latest twist in a case that has riveted a city where Smith was a fan favorite. No one was injured in the Impala.
“It would be safe to say that not only did my client feel threatened but citizens that were out there in that block felt threatened as well and I think the unearthing of a second gun will lend itself to the defense of Mr. Hayes”, Fuller said.
On Wednesday, a traditional brass-band parade will be held near the shooting scene in honor of Smith, with the Saints planning their own tribute on Friday.
Fuller refused to say whose vehicle had first hit Hayes’ Hummer, but he said the collision at Sophie Wright Place happened when Hayes was in pursuit of the license plate number of the hit-and-run driver.
In the most recently released surveillance video from the incident, we can see a possible hit-and-run where Smith’s Mercedes SUV appears to rear-end Hayes’ Hummer.
Moments later, the Hummer pulls to the side of the road and the driver of the SUV speeds away.
Police also said Tuesday that they were reviewing surveillance videos from the neighborhood. Fuller said that his client’s actions tell a different story as Hayes called 911 after he was hit, and persuaded a witness who was about to leave to remain and talk to police. What role did they play – if any – in what happened Saturday night?
What we don’t know: How did Ceravolo and Smith know each other?
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The news was hard on many who had closely followed Smith’s career.
