Patchogue 'Death Camp' Fliers: Horror Theater Group Apologizes

PATCHOGUE, NY — A horror theater group that hung anti-Trump supporter fliers around Patchogue last month for a video promotion has apologized to Patchogue and America.

A member of the Shock Theater collective snapped photos of the fliers hanging around town that read "Death Camps For Trump Supporters Now!!!" The words appeared in red overlaying an image of a skeletal figure wearing a black jacket, white collared shirt and red tie. The photos caused outrage on social media, with the group even receiving multiple death threats.

On Thursday, the theater group issued an apology to residents and America alike.

"We know our name is Shock Theater and we create shocking and scary content but as we have spoken to many people upset by what they saw and heard who convinced us to apologize," the group wrote in a Facebook post. "We want to assure everyone that not a single person at Shock Theater wants anyone dead and that is in fact the point of the experience we created."

The collective creates horror-themed cinematic theater that guests can participate in, as well as "extreme haunted attractions."

"We’re known for being offensive and controversial but our shows have always had social commentary as do most horror films," the group wrote.

The fliers were part of a simulated horror experience the group was putting on about the consequences of "taking things too far politically."

Will, a co-founder of the theater group who did not want to give his last name due to concerns of retaliation, told Patch on Thursday he called the office of Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri Jr. as well as U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, who has an office in the city, and formally apologized for causing a stir. The group had no intention of contributing to the country's political polarization, Will said, and the photos of the fliers should never have been shared. The social media manager who originally tweeted out the photos in response to a tweet from CNN contributor Reza Aslan no longer works for the company.

Will hung fliers around town for the promo video, as well as on random cars. During the shoot, the collective recorded peoples' reactions and talked with them about their views on where the country stands.

He said a couple were inadvertently left behind though, including at least one on the vehicle of a staff member who works for Zeldin, a Republican.

The group doesn't consider itself left-wing or right-wing, Will said, rather pretty central.

"It was silly and blown out of proportion," he said.

Patti Seal, village clerk for Patchogue, told Patch she spoke to Will on Thursday morning because the mayor was in a meeting.

"He was very apologetic," she said.

A spokeswoman for Zeldin's office said Wallace spoke briefly with an intern at their office, but that the conversation did not get into details about why the flyer was placed on staffers' homes, cars and elsewhere.

"We would look forward to a better explanation, including identifying who did this," Katie Vincentz told Patch in an email. "We will continue to urge the appropriate authorities to investigate this seemingly targeted effort."

Vincentz added that the fliers were an "incredibly poor decision."

The theater group maintains it did not hang fliers ok anyone's home.