Former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith was killed over the weekend following an incident which initially was suspected as road rage. 28-year-old Cardell Hayes was arrested and is currently being held on $1 million bond.
As more details have emerged on Hayes, a few interesting connections have some wondering if the situation is as random as first assumed. Here are the details we currently know:
In 2005, Hayes farther was killed by police. Hayes had sued the police department for wrongful death. One of the cops in the lawsuit, Billy Ceravolo dined with Smith that evening.
Billy Ceravolo retired from the New Orleans Police Department as a captain in 2013 after 25 years on the force. The lawsuit accused Ceravolo of being among several officers to fatally shoot Anthony Hayes.
Cardale also did security for the Saints during the time that Smith played for the team.
Will Smith’s death may not have been a random act, Cardell Hayes apparently did security for saints. NOPD is holding a presser at 1:15
— Meghan Kluth (@Kluthfairy) April 10, 2016
Hayes lawyer, John Fuller spoke to reporters and is implying that his client acted in self defense.
Hayes also briefly played for the New Orleans Voodoo arena football team. Arizona Cardinals’ Tyrann Mathieu is familiar with Hayes from his college days and dropped this tidbit on Instagram.
I know that dude, he been a hating ass coward…. Never knew he’d grow up to be a killer tho…. May you get what you deserve coward
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) April 10, 2016