American Grid Iron football player, Will Smith, 34, passed away after being shot. However, people on social media are mistaking the athlete for actor Will Smith, who is alive.
Both men are black and have the same name. They also both have three kids. #funfact
The responses on social media highlight not only a confusion of name and race, but dismiss the much greater issue of ongoing gun violence in America.
Retired New Orleans Saints lineman, Will Smith, was driving the Lower Garden District of New Orleans around 11:30pm on Saturday night when his car was rear-ended by Hummer.
Smith and the driver of the Hummer exchanged verbal blows with the driver of the Hummer, says a New Orleans Police Report. The Hummer driver then took out a handgun and shot Smith several times.
Smith's wife, who was also injured, survived. However Smith himself was not so fortunate.
Some responses to the news simply illustrated a basic confusion between the two public figures.
These tweets, though directed toward the wrong person, are still endearing.
But many responses revealed an much uglier sides to humanity.
Things got extremely awkward, when people were grateful the actor was alive, but didn't care too much that someone else was dead.
Some were even glad "the real Will Smith" was alright.
Just classy stuff, really.
Almost in a cruel twist of fate, actor Will Smith just received the MTV Generation or "Old Dude" Award at this year's MTV Movie Awards a few hours ago.
Will Smith is honored with the Generation Award at the MTV #MovieAwards https://t.co/JjdDUTqnaJ — Hollywood Reporter (@THR) April 11, 2016
Way to reaffirm his life status.
RIP real Will Smith. Gun violence sucks.
#Funfact: they are BOTH real.
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