NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – The city of New Orleans recently settled a lawsuit with Cardell Hayes the man accused of shooting former Saints player Will Smith Saturday night in the Lower Garden District.
According to city attorneys, Hayes father, Anthony Hayes, argued with a St. Charles Avenue drug store employee in December of 2005 after his credit card was declined.
An off-duty sheriff’s deputy flagged down police after he spotted the elder Hayes wielding a pocket knife. Hayes lunged at one of the officers with a knife before three officers opened fire and shot him nine times.
The lawsuit filed on behalf of Cardell Hayes sought $4 million in damages.
Attorneys close to the case would only say the suit was settled for “large” sum of money.
The below video is from the 2005 police shooting of Anthony Hayes.
Just one hour before the shooting, Smith was at dinner with former teammate Pierre Thomas and former NOPD officer Billy Ceravolo. Ceravolo was one of the NOPD officers tied to the case in the death of Anthony Hayes.
NOPD Chief Michael Harrison is not confirming any known motive at the moment, as they continue to investigate Cardell Hayes. His bond is set at $1,000,000 and well-known defense attorney, and soon to be fill-in judge, John Fuller, will be representing Hayes.
