RIP ex-Saint DE Will Smith in road rage shooting

Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer

The attorney for the accused killer of Will Smith again brought up the fact that there is reason to believe a second gun was on the scene during the incident that led to Smith's death. The attorney, John Fuller, didn't specify whether he believes the gun was in Smith's possession, but he said there are a "few things" that have been withheld from the public so far and hopes it will be provided.

 

If I taught driver's ed (a scary thought to many of you, I know) on the very first day of class, I'd stress that driving is very serious business. It's very personal. If you do something rude or careless, you're messing with somebody's life or livelihood, so don't be surprised if somebody wants to kill you.
I wish people would lighten up, but that's reality. People get a little testy when their lives are threatened.
About 15 years ago, a woman threatened to shoot me because I came a little too close to her when she was leaving a parking lot. She said if her kid wasn't in the back seat, she would have shot me. I didn't call the police because they probably would have cited me for dangerous driving.
Another time, I accidentally cut someone off. He pulled in front of me, drove about 50-60 yards ahead of me, then started to back up at speed toward my car, stopping just short. I got the message; it doesn't matter if what you did was intentional or not, the car wouldn't be any less damaged and people wouldn't be any less hurt or dead.
But if I'm such a bad driver, how come I don't get in more accidents?
Like I said, I wish people would just lighten up and accept no harm, no foul, but I guess that's the way it is.

 

The best way to avoid trouble while driving is to stay focused on your phone.

 

Road ragers are morons who somehow are convinced they've never made a mistake. Anybody who's ever driven an appreciable amount has either fucked up or come close to fucking up.

 

Not me.

 

And I know it's hard to do in the heat of the moment, especially if you think your life was endangered, but I wish people would realize that and cut everyone else some slack.
It's only driving.

 

Well if he is convicted of a felony he may lose his right to legally purchase firearms. So let's not jump the gun on that Dickie.

 

Video emerges that the victim hit the shooter's car eight minutes before the shooting. The victim pulled over, expecting, presumably, for the ritual exchange of insurance info, etc. Instead, victim takes off driving. Shooter takes off after him. Shooter calls 911 along the way.

Interesting stuff.

It sure is sounding like the apparent connection between them - i.e. Smith's friendship with the police officer - may have truly been a coincidence.

 

As a lawyer, would you say it's justifiable to shoot someone who put a dent in your Hummer and drove away?

 

Will Smith shooting death: New video shows events leading up to killing of former Saints player

An unknown witness is also heard talking about another gun, though he didn't mention anyone by name.

"I guess this guy was like, 'Get out of here or I have a gun' And he goes, 'F*** y'all, I've got one too.' And he grabs the gun and then he shoots him in the back - dead," the witness said

 

Most likely scenario:

• Smith, maybe drinking, rear-ends Hayes at a stoplight.
• Hayes pulls over, thinking they are going to exchange insurance information.
• Instead, Smith takes off, perhaps because he's been drinking.
• Hayes takes off after him, calls 911.
• I'm not sure why Hayes rear-ended Smith. Maybe it was an accident. Maybe he was in a rage. The fact that he called 911 seems to indicate the former, but who knows?
• Smith gets out of the car and confronts Hayes.
• Smith starts storming back to his car and says he's going to get his gun.
• Hayes gets scared because he thinks Smith is going back to his car to get his gun and shoot him, panics, and shoots him dead.

Sound about right?

 

See my more recent post. I don't think that's why he shot him. I'm pretty sure he felt threatened and that he had to shoot before Smith shot him.