After outcry, Dayton mass murderer's parents apologize for their son’s ‘insensitive’ obituary

The parents of the Dayton mass murderer have issued an apology for their son's obituary after heavy criticism and outcry.

Their son shot and killed nine people and injured dozens more on Aug. 4 in a Dayton, Ohio, massacre.

He opened fire on a group of bystanders at a Dayton hotspot and was armed with a .223-caliber high-capacity rifle. He fired 41 shots, killing his sister and others before police shot and killed him.

What did the obituary say?

The obituary was originally posted on the funeral home's website on Wednesday and described the mass killer as "funny, articulate, and intelligent man with striking blue eyes and a kind smile."

The grieving parents described their son as a former Boy Scout and a reader who loved the Harry Potter series of books. He also served in a men's choral group and played instruments in high school. The obituary also pointed out his love for music and television.

The obituary concluded, "[He] will be missed immensely by his friends, family, and especially his good dog Teddy."

Acquaintances previously described the mass killer as "a deeply troubled individual who was obsessed with guns, carried a 'hit list' of classmates, and had a history of violently lashing out against women," according to the Washington Post. Police also described him as obsessed with and fascinated by mass killings.

By Wednesday night, the funeral home pulled the mass killer's obituary from its website. In its place at the time of this writing is a sober apology from the family for the "insensitive" tribute to their late son.

The apology stated that the parents "apologize that the wording of the obituary for their son ... was insensitive in not acknowledging the terrible tragedy that he created. In their grief, they presented the son that they knew, which in no way reduces the horror of his last act. We are deeply sorry."