Will Smith's alleged killer, Cardell Hayes, was protecting himself and his passenger, Kevin O'Neal, when Hayes shot and killed the former Saints defensive end and wounded Smith's wife Saturday night in New Orleans, O'Neal's attorney says.
MORE: Tragic losses in sports this year
"My client believes that Cardell saved his life," attorney Tanzanika Ruffin told WDSU-TV in a statement. "Smith had a gun and was going to shoot it and Cardell may have saved both of their lives."
O'Neal hasn't been charged with a crime.
Hayes’ attorney has said his client was “not the aggressor” in the incident.