Cardell “Bear” Hayes Charged In The Murder Of Former New Orleans Saints Player Will Smith

Early Sunday morning it was reported that former New Orleans Saints defensive end, Will Smith, was shot to death and his wife wounded, in a double shooting in New Orleans. The shooting occurred following a traffic altercation in which Smith’s Mercedes-Benz SUV had been rear-ended by the shooter’s Hummer H2. An argument ensued and both Smith and his wife were shot. The couple had just finished celebrating at the French Quarter Fest. 

The shooter, 28 year old Cardell Hayes, also known as “Bear,” was taken into custody by The New Orleans Police Department where he was charged with second-degree murder. Bond has not yet been set. According to NOLA.com, Kevin O’Neal was also brought in for questioning. 

According to his Facebook page, Hayes played for the New Orleans VooDoo arena football team in 2013.  

Hayes was previously arrested in August 2010 and charged with illegal carrying of a weapon as well as possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of codeine.  In June 2012 he pleaded guilty to a weapons and codeine charges, and received a 5-year prison sentence that was immediately suspended. He withdrew the plea a month later. In January 2014 he pleaded guilty to a reduced weapons charge and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced to six months probation.

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Photo Credit: Nola.com