Former Saints DE Will Smith murdered in road rage incident

The NFL community and the New Orleans area is dealing with an unthinkable tragedy early Sunday morning.

Former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith was shot to death on Camp Street in the city on Sunday morning.

https://twitter.com/thecajunboy/status/719051280388218880

The murder came after a Hummer rear-ended Smith’s car. An argument ensued between Smith and the man who hit him, at which point the former NFL player was shot multiple times.

Smith’s wife was also shot twice in the leg and was immediately taken to the hospital.

Here’s a statement from the New Orleans Police Department on the incident:

Here is a photo from the shooting:

https://twitter.com/MichaelDeMocker/status/719036359659249664

What a senseless act of violence and an unthinkable tragedy.

This came hours after Smith had posted a photo of his wife and himself having fun in the city’s French Quarter:

Gone too soon, Smith seemed to take issue with violence that has plagued his adopted city of New Orleans in the months leading up to his death:

Sometimes, irony represents a tragedy that’s almost too unbearable to comprehend. This is one of those times.

Smith, 34, played 10 seasons with the Saints after being a first-round pick of the team. The one-time Pro Bowler recorded 67.5 career sacks before retiring following the 2013 campaign.

Smith is survived by his wife and three young kids.