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As the days go by, intrigue continues to shroud the death of former New Orleans Saint defensive end Will Smith, who passed away Saturday amid a hail of bullets after an altercation following a traffic accident.

Now, reports say Smith had a gun and was going to fire at his alleged assailant, Cardell Hayes, as well as a passenger in Hayes’ vehicle after the hit-and-run, according to USA Today:

“My client believes that Cardell saved his life,” said Tanzanika Ruffin, the attorney for passenger Kevin O’Neal, in a statement to WDSU-TV. “Smith had a gun and was going to shoot it and Cardell may have saved both of their lives.”

Smith’s family lawyer Peter Thomson disputed this account Wednesday afternoon, saying at a news conference that while Smith had a lawfully-licensed concealed gun in his vehicle, Smith never took it out and never fired.

Smith was killed and his wife sustained non-life-threatening gunshot injuries Saturday night in what New Orleans police described as a road rage incident. Hayes, who remained on the scene, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

We hope investigators get to the bottom of this story quickly, so that Smith’s family can mourn their loss. We also hope no one is wrongfully incriminated.

SOURCE: USA Today | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty 

SEE ALSO:

Investigators Find Loaded Handgun In Will Smith’s SUV

New Video In Will Smith Shooting Raises Questions