Back to the NFL Newsfeed

Family attorney: Smith was protecting wife when shot

Related Topics: Will Smith, Smith Hart

Before former Saints star Will Smith was shot and killed Saturday night, Smith's wife, Racquel, was shot once in each leg, according to the family's attorney, Peter Thomson.

Per Thomson, who addressed reporters Wednesday at University Medical Hospital in New Orleans, Raquel was trying to diffuse an altercation between Will Smith and 28-year-old Cardell Hayes, who rear-ended Smith's vehicle on Sophie Wright Place prompting both men to exit the vehicle. Hayes was booked on second-degree murder charges Sunday.

Thomson told reporters Will Smith was shot eight times in the back.