Brother of Former South Alabama Player Gunned Down in New Orleans

Authorities say the brother of a former NFL player was gunned down near New Orleans Lakefront Airport while he was visiting his mother for the holidays.

Orleans Parish Coroner Dr. Jeffrey Rouse tells news outlets that 38-year-old Robert Smith died at the scene Monday morning from a gunshot wound. The victim's brother is former New York Jets wide receiver Courtney Smith.

Courtney Smith tells NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune that their mother heard the gunshots outside her home and saw her son lying in the front yard. The victim was visiting from Lafayette.

Courtney Smith, who attended South Alabama, was signed by the Jets in July 2011 and waived a month later.

New Orleans police asked anyone with information about Robert Smith's killing to call detectives at (504) 658-5300.

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