Former Super Bowl winner and American footballer, Will Smith, was shot dead and his wife was injured in a reported road rage incident.
New Orleans Police said the 34-year-old’s vehicle was hit in the rear by a Hummer H2 while it was driving in the city late last night, causing Smith’s Mercedes to collide with the back of a Chevrolet.
“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,” police said in a statement, according to reports by NBC News.
“It appears that it could possibly have been road rage,” Officer Juan D. Barnes Sr. added at a press conference.
Tributes for the former New Orleans Saints defensive footballer have poured in on social media.
“A senseless and tragic loss,” tweeted the vice president of New Orleans communications Greg Bensel. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Will Smith - his wife Racquel - his children William, Wynter and Lisa.”
Mark Ingram, who is a current player for the team, also expressed his sadness at the news.
Smith played football for Ohio State University and was team captain from 2005-2013. He was with New Orleans when they won Super Bowl XLIV and is lined up to join the Saints Hall of Fame this autumn.
