Will Smith shot to death in road rage incident

Will Smith, a former New Orleans Saints DE, was murdered in New Orleans late Saturday night following a fender bender.

In an absolutely senseless and sickening turn of events, the sports world lost former Ohio State Buckeye and New Orleans Saint, Will Smith, when some maniac shot him to death Saturday night in New Orleans, according to the Times-Picayune.

Smith’s wife was also injured in the incident, having been shot twice in the leg. She is receiving treatment at a local hospital.

The following is a statement released by the New Orleans police department:

"The 34-year-old male victim’s vehicle was traveling eastbound on Sophie Wright Place when his vehicle was hit in the rear by a Hummer H2. The collision caused the victim’s Mercedes G63 SUV to strike the rear of a Chevrolet Impala who was traveling along with the victim. The male victim and the driver of the Hummer exchanged words at which time the driver of the Hummer produced a handgun and shot the male victim multiple times and his 34-year-old wife twice in the right leg. The male victim was pronounced dead on the scene. The female victim was transported to a local hospital. The 30-year-old driver of the Hummer is in custody and being interviewed by police. The gun used has been recovered."

After playing his college ball at Ohio State, Smith was selected 18th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Saints. He spent his entire career, spanning 11 years, in New Orleans. Smith recorded 457 tackles, 67.5 sacks, 20 forced fumbles and two interceptions. In perhaps his best season in 2009, Smith logged a career-high 13 sacks, the same year the Saints would go on to defeat the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

Thought it happened late in the evening, news of Smith’s murder spread among NFL circles, drawing reactions on Twitter from those that knew and loved him.

But perhaps nobody put it better than Jonathan Vilma.

Smith leaves behind his wife and three children. He was 34.