NEW ORLEANS, April 13 (UPI) — Murkiness still surrounds the bizarre shooting death of former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith, but the message is clear from Pierre Thomas.
Thomas posted Tuesday on Facebook, following the death of his friend and former teammate.
“The last few days have been a whirlwind and I am still trying to wrap my head around this whole thing,” Thomas wrote. “I flew out of New Orleans last night and back to Chicago because I couldn’t think straight…I witnessed a close friend, teammate and a man that I thought of as one of my big brothers in the NFL shot to death over a [expletive] FENDER BENDER!!! What, why how? I just don’t get it…these images that I have in my head will never leave me and I understand that and will have to live with it. I want to thank each and every one of you, my family, friends, fans and the whole entire Who Dat Nation for all of your thoughts and prayers….but let’s send them instead to Will’s family – his wife and 3 kids who have to be strong during this difficult time.”
“People!!! When is this [expletive] going to stop? There is so much senseless killing going on in our world, and I’m not saying that I have the answers to fix it…but I am willing to do my part to help and find a solution,” Thomas wrote. “My heart is heavy and wish I could turn back the hands of time, but what is done is done and sadly my close friend is gone but he will never ever be forgotten. Rest In Peace Will.”
The Saints and the family of Smith will host a visitation from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 15 at the Saints’ indoor practice facility at 5800 Airline Drive in Metairie.
On Wednesday, the attorney for Cardell Hayes’ passenger told USA Today that Smith was “going to shoot” as Hayes began shooting the former Saints defensive end over the weekend.
A loaded gun was found in Smith’s vehicle, according to New Orleans police.
Smith and Thomas were teammates from 2007 to 2012, a run that included the Saints’ 2010 Super Bowl XLIV victory against the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning.