Smith Shot Eight Times, Wife Shot Twice

The wife of former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith, Racquel, was shot twice in the legs before Smith himself was shot eight times and killed Saturday night, according to the family's attorney, Peter M. Thomson, who told their version of events for the first time Wednesday.

In a statement Wednesday, New Orleans coroner Jeffrey Rouse confirmed that preliminary autopsy results showed Smith was shot eight times -- seven times in the back and once in the chest. The coroner preliminarily classified Smith's death as a homicide.

Rouse said in the statement that "seven of these wounds were penetrating in nature, with projectiles recovered and no corresponding exit wounds.

"These bullet tracks had entrance into the left upper back (1), left mid-back (2), left lower back (3), and left lateral chest wall (1). Many of these bullets perforated vital organs, including the lungs and heart.

"One of these wounds was a perforating wound, with both an entrance and an exit wound. This bullet entered the left upper back, traversed soft tissue, and exited from the right shoulder area."

Rouse said toxicology results will be available in approximately six to eight weeks.

Attorneys for both sides and the police all agree that Smith was shot by Cardell Hayes on Saturday night after a traffic collision and a heated exchange of words between Smith and Hayes outside of their vehicles. Hayes has been booked on second-degree murder, with charges still pending.

The two sides, however, have painted different pictures about who was the aggressor in the argument.

Thomson said that Hayes, after being rear-ended by Smith, chased after him. Thomson described Hayes as being "enraged" and said he violently slammed into Smith's vehicle from behind. But he said the witnesses he has spoken with believed that the argument between Smith and Hayes had eventually been defused, and that Smith and his wife were returning to Smith's vehicle before Hayes opened fire on them. Thomson said the first shot hit Racquel Smith in her right leg, breaking her femur, and that the second shot passed through her left thigh.

"The killer showed no remorse whatsoever," Thomson said. As Racquel Smith crawled away, cowering, Thomson said, Hayes stood over Will Smith's body.

Racquel Smith remains in the hospital but is expected to recover from her wounds.