Urban Outfitters has been forced to apologize for designing a Kent State sweatshirt splattered with fake blood in what appeared to be a reference to the massacre of 1970. Four students were killed and nine severely wounded in the shooting after the Ohio National Guard opened fire at a protest against President Nixon's Cambodian Campaign. But 44 years later it seems the tragedy has served as fashion inspiration for the high street store which released a 'vintage' sweatshirt covered in red blotches with holes by the left shoulder. 'Tasteless': Urban Outfitters has come under fire for stocking this 'vintage' Kent State University sweatshirt that appears to be covered in blood stains in an apparent reference to the May 4 Massacre in 1970
@highlight
Teen retailer has released 'vintage' sweatshirt with red blotches and holes
@highlight
Item on sale for $129 sparked outrage 44 years after shooting at Ohio college
@highlight
Four killed and nine injured when Ohio National Guard opened fire at protest
@highlight
Design comes weeks after store released pens shaped like heroin needles
@highlight
Kent State blasted item as 'beyond poor taste' for 'trivializing loss of life'
Kent State
Kent State University
Kent State
'It was never our intention to allude to the tragic events that took place at @placeholder.'