Will Smith shooting: Suspect found out victim’s ID next day, attorney says

The suspect in the shooting death of ex-NFL player Will Smith did not know who the victim was until the next day, according to a defense attorney.

Cardell Hayes has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of the former defensive end for the New Orleans Saints.

Smith was killed Saturday night after a night out with his wife and friends in New Orleans. He was shot eight times, including seven in the back, the coroner said.
Hayes’ lawyer said his client did not know at the scene that Smith was the victim.
When he found out Sunday morning, he collapsed in the 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.
Hayes shot Smith after a traffic collision and an exchange of words between the two, according to police.

As New Orleans police investigate the shooting, attorneys on both sides are sparring over the discovery of a gun in Smith’s car.

Detectives found a loaded 9mm handgun inside Smith’s Mercedes SUV on Tuesday morning. Investigators also found a loaded revolver inside the Hummer H2 driven by Hayes.

That brought the total number of weapons in the investigation to three. Police have said a .45-caliber handgun they found at the scene Saturday night was used by Hayes to shoot Smith and his wife.

Peter Thomson, an attorney for Smith’s family, said the former NFL player did not have a gun in his hand when he was killed.

“At no time during this event, to my knowledge at all, did Will Smith ever brandish or carry on his person a firearm,” Thomson said.

Smith was licensed to carry a concealed weapon that may have been inside the vehicle, Thomson said, but he wasn’t reaching for it when he was shot.

Smith’s wife, Racquel, was shot once in each leg and is recovering in a hospital, Thomson said.

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