New details from New Orleans police help shed light on Smith's shooting

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A loaded gun was found in the vehicle former Saints' defensive end Will Smith was in the night he was shot and killed in New Orleans, police said.

Police have said Smith and his wife were shot by Cardell Hayes after a traffic altercation Saturday night. In a statement late Tuesday, police gave more details on the shooting of the New Orleans football star.

Among the news in the statement: A loaded .9 mm handgun was found in Smith's vehicle; Hayes told police on the scene he was the shooter; police found a loaded revolver inside Hayes' vehicle; and Smith had two other passengers in his vehicle in addition to his wife. Police did not say whether the gun found in Smith's vehicle belonged to him or someone else.

Authorities said there was no evidence to suggest either weapon found during a search of the vehicles Tuesday morning was fired during the Saturday shooting. Instead, police said Hayes shot Smith with a different handgun.

"During the argument, Hayes produced a .45 caliber handgun and opened fire, striking Smith and his wife. No one else was injured in the gunfire," police said in the statement. Smith's wife was shot in the leg but survived and was taken to the hospital.

"Hayes was on the scene when officers arrived and identified himself as the shooter. Detectives detained and questioned Hayes. Based on the interview and evidence gathered from the scene, detectives arrested Hayes and booked him with Second Degree Murder. An additional charge for Smith's wife's injury is pending further investigation," the statement said.

Police earlier had said they confiscated a weapon at the scene believed to have been used to shoot Smith, but until Tuesday had not said if any other weapons were found.