Urban Outfitters slammed for red

UrbanOutfitters.com

Someone at Urban Outfitters needs a crash course in American history.

The retailer has come under fire for selling a 'vintage' Kent State University sweatshirt that looks like it is splattered with fake blood stains.

The Ohio university is perhaps best known as the site of the fatal 1970 shootings of unarmed college students.

On May 4 of that year, members of the Ohio National guard opened fire on a crowd of Vietnam War protestors, killing four and wounding nine.

Images of the sweatshirt sparked outrage on social media, and the story gained even more attention when it was picked up by Buzzfeed.

Someone scooped up the single sweatshirt that was selling for $129, and, for a while, the retailer's website said it was sold out.

UrbanOutfitters.com

Urban Outfitters issued the following apology via Twitter on Monday:

'Urban Outfitters sincerely apologizes for any offense our Vintage Kent State Sweatshirt may have caused. 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 retailer goes on to say that the 'one-of-a-kind' sweatshirt is 'part of our sun-faded vintage collection.'

'There is no blood on this shirt nor has this item been altered in any way,' it said. 'The red stains are discoloration from the original shade of the shirt and the holes are from natural wear and fray.'

The item was one of the retailer's 'vintage finds' items.

'Vintage Find are handpicked vintage pieces from all over the map,' the site read. 'Each piece is unique - we only have one available and it can only be purchased by a single customer.'

The image of the infamous sweatshirt has been removed from Urban Outfitters' website, but the clothing itself has resurfaced on eBay with a 'Buy It Now' price of $2,500. The starting bid was set at $550, and the seller says he or she is donating 50% of the profit to The Southern Poverty Law Center.

Urban Outfitters is no stranger to controversy. The retailer was criticized in January for a shirt that said 'depression' over and over again. It has also released, and subsequently pulled, prescription bottle mugs and flasks.

The retailer memorably set off another storm of criticism for its line of ' Navajo ' clothing and accessories, which included panties, socks and a flask.

vtaylor@nydailynews.com

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