Video Captures Aftermath of Football Player Will Smith's Killing
The shooting was Saturday night in New Orleans's Lower Garden District.
— -- Video from the scene of Super Bowl champion Will Smith's deadly shooting captures the dramatic moments in the aftermath, including his injured wife crying out that her leg had been shot.
The video shows the chaos and sirens at the scene after Will Smith was killed Saturday night and Racquel Smith was shot in the leg.
She was then rushed to a local hospital, but police said her injuries were not life-threatening.
The deadly shooting began when Smith, a former New Orleans Saints star, was rear-ended while driving in New Orleans's Lower Garden District, causing him to hit a vehicle in front of him, police said. The driver of the vehicle that hit Smith, identified by police as Cardell Hayes, then "exchanged words" with Smith, police said.
Hayes, 28, then drew a handgun and shot Smith several times, police said.
Hayes stayed at the scene, police said, and was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
On Sunday, a judge set bond for Hayes at $1 million. He did not enter a plea.
John Fuller, Hayes' attorney, said Monday that his client felt threatened and plans to plead not guilty. He also said that Hayes did not know the victim.
"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.
"I believe the evidence will support that my client is legally not guilty."
On Sunday, he said: "not only did my client call 911, but my client secured a witness who was about to leave the scene and my client waited for law enforcement to arrive."
Fuller said Hayes was the victim of a hit-and-run just moments before he crashed into Smith's car and was chasing the cars to get their license plate numbers. He said Hayes called 911 to report the hit-and-run before the accident with Smith.
Police said Sunday the motive for the shooting was under investigation.
A statement on behalf of Smith's family said they were "thankful for the outpouring of support and prayers."
Smith, 34, was drafted by the Saints in 2004 and spent all nine of his seasons in the NFL with the team. He last played in 2012.
The Saints revealed Sunday that Smith was voted into the Saints Hall of Fame last month. The news would have been made public in May.