National Football League
Smith, Walker named in second suit
National Football League

Smith, Walker named in second suit

Published Sep. 5, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith and former teammate Delanie Walker have been hit with a second lawsuit this week stemming from an alleged 2012 shooting at Smith's home.

Aaron Reyes filed a lawsuit in Santa Clara County claiming that he was seriously injured in a shooting at the home and that both players knew there were armed gang members present. Reyes' friend, Ronndale Esporlas, also filed suit this week claiming that Smith and Walker fired weapons illegally during the party at Smith's San Jose home on June 29, 2012.

The players charged a $10 admission and $5 per drink, the lawsuit said. Smith, 23, and Walker, 29 were allegedly intoxicated on Smith's balcony when they later fired gunshots in the air while trying to end the party, Esporlas' lawsuit said.

Kleczek said they then moved to the driveway where he alleged more shots were fired. Esporlas, 21, was shot twice in the leg while he was allegedly ''caught in the crossfire between the two groups of people firing gunshots at each other,'' his lawsuit said.

ADVERTISEMENT

As a result, Esporlas, ''sustained serious, catastrophic and permanent injuries,'' the lawsuit said. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

Esporlas could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Neither Walker nor Smith, who was stabbed at the party, has been charged in the incident. Walker now plays for the Tennessee Titans.

At the Niners' headquarters in Santa Clara on Wednesday, Smith said the lawsuit came as no surprise but he declined to discuss it specifically.

Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers' head coach, when asked if he had spoken to Smith about the lawsuit, said, ''the team is handling it.''

At the Titans' headquarters in Nashville, Walker said after the team's practice Wednesday that he's focused on the season opener Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

''That's something that I can't worry about that happened a year ago,'' Walker said.

When asked by reporters if it was strange that a lawsuit is filed more than a year after the alleged incident, Walker said, ''You said it. Said it best.''

Titans coach Mike Munchak said he talked with Walker briefly and said it won't distract the team.

''I think he handled himself I'm sure well in the whole matter,'' Munchak said. ''That's not something we're concerned about.''

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

share


Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more