Nov 13, 2015: Paris Terrorism Includes Rock Concert

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An Eagles of Death Metal concert in Paris on a Friday evening, November 13, 2015, was one of seven locations in the center of the French capital that came under attack in what was a series of coordinated terrorist shootings and explosions. Initial estimates were that at least 100 people had been killed and 60 seriously injured in what appear to be retaliations related to recent drone attacks on Islamic State rebels in Syria. Sadly, those numbers increased.

Early reports said a number of shootings occurred at the Bataclan concert hall where the show was taking place, and that at least 60 to 100 concertgoers had been taken hostage. Another unconfirmed Facebook post said that audience members were being systematically executed.

At approximately 7 p.m. ET that evening, an administrator of the Eagles of Death Metal’s Facebook page wrote: “We are still currently trying to determine the safety and whereabouts of all our band and crew. Our thoughts are with all of the people involved in this tragic situation.”

Within 50 minutes, the post had already received over 80,000 Likes and over 16,000 Shares. The hashtag #PorteOuverte (“open door” for those seeking safety) was trending on social media.

The Islamic State of Iraq claimed responsibility.

Mary Lou Dorio, the mother of Julian Dorio, the drummer for the band Eagles of Death Metal, said in an interview that her son and other band members managed to escape the concert hall when the attack there began. However, the fate of several crew members remained unknown, she said.

Among the reported 130 victims of the coordinated terrorist attacks was Nick Alexander, who served as the Eagles of Death Metal’s tour merchandise manager. Sadly, 90 of the dead were at le Bataclan that evening.

In an unprecedented move, Paris closed its borders.

Watch the Eagles of Death Metal perform that evening. (Note: the attack is not shown)