Marilyn Manson pulled a fake rifle on a crowd during a performance at Ozzfest on the same day that 26 people were killed in a mass shooting at a Texas church with an assault weapon. Manson's show took place at the Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernardino, Calif., a city that saw 14 people killed in a mass shooting in December 2015.

The story comes via TMZ, where they also have video of the act. They add that it came as Manson was performing "We Know Where You F---ing Live," a track from his most recent album, Heaven Upside Down. Manson was being pulled around in a wheelchair as a result of crushing his leg when a stage prop fell on top of him back in September.

UPDATE: Manson has since issued a statement on the fake rifle, via Variety: "In an era where mass shootings have become a nearly daily occurrence, this was an act of theater in an attempt to make a statement about how easily accessible semi-automatic weapons are and how seeing them has become normalized. My art has always been a reaction to popular culture and my way to make people think about the horrible things that happen in this world. My performance was not meant to be disrespectful or show any insensitivity. The prop microphone I used on stage was handed to me with the approval of a police officer. My empathy goes out to anyone who has been affected by the irresponsible and reprehensible misuse of REAL guns."

This was Manson's first concert since the accident, which required a plate and 10 screws to be inserted into the leg, another stabilizing screw in his ankle and a cast.

"I'm not sure what I hit my head on, but it did fall onto my leg and break the fibula in two places," Manson said. "The pain was excruciating. ... It definitely could have crushed my skull and my ribs. I have some minor bruising in that area, but it took six guys to pull it off of me. It was like wrestling a giant iron monster."

It was also his first show since parting ways with longtime bassist Jeordie White, whose stage name is Twiggy Ramirez. White was accused of raping and repeatedly beating his ex-girlfriend, Jessicka Adams of Jack Off Jill, during a relationship in the '90s. White had been with Manson since 1993, with the exception of the years 2003-07.
 
 

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