Kent State outraged by Urban Outfitters sweatshirt

Kent State University released a statement on a sweatshirt that clothing company Urban Outfitters released, which officials said hearkened to the school’s infamous shooting.

“May 4, 1970, was a watershed moment for the country and especially the Kent State family. We lost four students that day while nine others were wounded and countless others were changed forever," the statement reads, in part.

The shirt, which until recently was selling for $129 on the company’s website, featured the Kent State logo and was splattered with red dye. Critics suggest the splatters were intended to look like blood, hearkening to the Kent State massacre of 1970.

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

Urban Outfitters has removed the shirt from its website and issued an apology, which was posted on the company’s Twitter feed.

“The one-of-a-kind item was purchased as part of our sun-faded vintage collection. There is no blood on this shirt nor has this item been altered in any way. The red stains are discoloration from the original shade of the shirt and the holes are from natural wear and fray,” read the Urban Outfitters apology.