Saints head coach Sean Payton called the city of New Orleans "broken" on Apri 11, Monday, in an interview. It comes on the heels of former NFL and Saints defensive end Will Smith's death over the weekend.
"I just know this: Our city is broken," Payton told USA Today.
Smith was killed by a man named Cardell Hayes on Saturday night in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans. Hayes, a former high school football star in the state, also shot Smith's wife, Racquel, who suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds on her leg.
Coach Payton then revealed that he researched about the incident on the Internet and found out that the suspect used a large .45 caliber gun. He added that it can kill someone just five seconds after being hit causing the victim to bleed out.
"I'm not an extreme liberal. I find myself leaning to the right on some issues. But on this issue, I can't wrap my brain around it. I hate guns," Payton said.
If there is anyone can feel the tragedy that happened in New Orleans, it's the 52-year-old coach. Payton took charge of the Saints back in 2006 and helped the community after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
All the perseverance paid off for Payton and the city when they lifted the Super Bowl trophy in 2009. The late defensive end was one of the vital pieces of that championship roster.
On the other hand, the Washington Post reported that the New Orleans Police Department is still investigating the incident as there could be other motives besides road rage. The suspect is already in custody and has been charged with second-degree murder.
He's also going to be charged with attempted second-degree murder or aggravated battery regarding the shooting of Racquel Smith. The NOPD is holding the suspect on a $1 million bond.
According to a report by The Advocate, a new surveillance video has surfaced showing that Smith's Mercedes SUV allegedly crash into Hayes' Hummer H2 first. The NOPD initially reported that Smith's SUV was struck from behind by Hayes' Hummer before the shooting incident.
Here is the surveillance video that could prove vital in the investigation of Smith's death.