Eagles of Death Metal frontman Jesse Hughes, whose band was playing at the Bataclan theater in Paris the night a terror attack left more than 100 people dead, has apologized after suggesting that the staff at the concert hall might have had something to do with the mass shooting.
In a statement issued Friday, Hughes called his own accusations “absurd.”
“I humbly beg forgiveness from the people of France, the staff and security of the Bataclan, my fans, family, friends and anyone else hurt or offended by the absurd accusations I made,” Hughes said. “My suggestions that anyone affiliated with the Bataclan played a role in the events of November 13 are unfounded and baseless — and I take full responsibility for them. They do not reflect opinions of my bandmates or anyone associated with Eagles of Death Metal.”
Hughes added, “The shame is 100 percent mine.”
In an interview with Fox Business Network this week, Hughes suggested that security staff might have been in on the attack.
“When I first got to the venue and walked in, I walked past the dude who was supposed to be the security guard for the backstage. He didn’t even look at me. I immediately went to the promoter and said, ‘Who’s that guy? I want to put another dude on,’ and he goes, ‘Well some of the other guards aren’t here yet,’ and eventually I found out that six or so wouldn’t show up at all,” Hughes said.
“It seems rather obvious they had a reason not to show up,” the musician added.
In Friday’s statement Hughes went on to say that he’s “been dealing with nonstop nightmares and struggling through therapy to make sense of this tragedy and insanity,” adding, “I haven’t been myself since November 13.”
Even so, he allowed that “there’s no excuse for my words.”
“I realize there’s no excuse for my words, but for what it’s worth: I am sincerely sorry for having hurt, disrespected or accused anyone,” Hughes concluded.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.