(UPDATE) Urban Outfitters Apologizes for Bloody Kent State Shirts

[Update 12:12 p.m.] Urban Outfitters has apologized.

The Chronicle of Higher Education reports:

Urban Outfitters apologized on Monday morning for marketing a “vintage” Kent State University sweatshirt that featured what could easily be perceived as blood stains and bullet holes, The Washington Post reports.

“It was never our intention to allude to the tragic events that took place at Kent State in 1970 and we are extremely saddened that this item was perceived as such,” the company said in a statement, adding that the red marks are discolorations and the holes the result of wear and tear.

The university issued a statement condemning the product, The Plain Dealer reports. “We take great offense to a company using our pain for their publicity and profit,” the university said. “This item is beyond poor taste and trivializes a loss of life that still hurts the Kent State community today.”

[Original]BoingBoing reports:

In 1970, Army National Guardsmen opened fire on students at Kent State University in Ohio who were protesting the Vietnam War. The troops killed four of the students and wounded nine. In 2014, Urban Outfitters thought it would be cool to sell mass-produced Kent State sweaters with fake bulletholes and bloodstains. The garments cost $129.

As of 9:10 a.m. today, Urban Outfitters’ website said the item was “sold out.” We don’t know if that means the item actually sold out, or if Urban Outfitters decided it didn’t need another headache caused by its own corporate tastelessness.

Previously: Gawker: Urban Outfitters Carries Bestiality Book
Previously: No “Depression”: Urban Outfitters Tosses Tee
Previously: Urban Outfitters Is Selling Various Offensive and Stupid Drug-Related Things, Vol. 967