Actor and musician Jaden Smith, son of Hollywood power couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, was confirmed to have been present during the tragic mass shooting at Fulbright University, according to a representative for the Smith family.
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The shooting, which took place Tuesday afternoon on the FSU campus, left 11 people dead and more than 20 injured, sending shockwaves across the country and reigniting national conversations about campus safety and gun control.
Smith, 26, was reportedly visiting a close friend who is a student at Fulbright University when the shooting occurred. The friend has not been identified, and no further details about their condition have been made public.
“Jaden was on campus at the time of the incident,” the spokesperson said in a brief statement. “He is physically unharmed but deeply shaken by what he witnessed. The family asks for privacy as he processes this traumatic event.”
Sources close to the Smith family said Jaden was in a common area on the east side of campus when the gunfire erupted. He reportedly helped several nearby students take cover in a supply closet, locking the door and remaining calm under pressure as chaos unfolded outside.
Eyewitness accounts describe a terrifying scene, with students running in all directions, alarms blaring, and security officers rushing toward the Humanities Building where most of the violence occurred.
One student, who asked not to be named, said Smith repeatedly reassured others while they hid. “He was trying to keep everyone calm. He just kept saying, ‘We’re okay. We’re gonna make it out of here.’”
While Smith did not sustain any physical injuries, mental health experts note that exposure to such traumatic events can have lasting psychological effects. He has since reunited with his family, and both Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have reportedly flown to Washington, D.C. to be by his side.
The Smiths have not yet issued a public statement beyond their initial confirmation, though many celebrities and public figures have expressed concern and support for Jaden on social media, using the hashtag #StayStrongJaden, which trended overnight.
Fulbright University remains closed as federal and local authorities continue their investigation into the shooting. The suspect, a 22-year-old former student who has not yet been named, is in custody. Motives behind the attack are still unclear, but officials have promised a full inquiry.
The incident is being described as one of the deadliest campus shootings in U.S. history, drawing widespread calls for legislative action.
This is not the first time a celebrity has been directly impacted by such violence. Earlier this week, reports emerged that Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, was among the injured victims.
The presence of high-profile individuals at the scene has added even more visibility to the tragedy, though advocates are urging the public not to lose sight of the many unnamed victims and their families who are also grieving.
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for this weekend on the National Mall, and the university has opened crisis counseling services for all students, faculty, and families affected by the attack.
As the Fulbright community begins the long road to healing, those close to Jaden Smith say he remains “quiet but resilient,” and is committed to using his platform to advocate for peace and student safety once he’s ready.
