An Alabama veteran who claimed he was denied access to a Pelham gas station's restroom by the manager, who he identified as Muslim, has now apologized.

Robert Horsley posted the apology to Facebook on Friday.

"I sincerely offer my apology to you for posting on Facebook that you denied me access to your restroom facility because I thought you to be a person of the Muslim faith and due to the fact that I am a veteran," he wrote. "I also apologize to all that read and shared my post -- for misleading you in such a manner."

The apology comes days after Satyam Patel, the owner of the Coosa Mart on Highway 31 in Pelham denied the Horsley's allegations.

"I am the manager of Coosa Mart," he wrote on Facebook. "The message (Horsley's message) posted below is not true. This event never happened. We have been in business for 10 years. We treat all customers with respect, and we are proud of the Veterans who have served our country. We have never told any customers to 'get lost.' We are not Muslim. Everyone is welcome in our store."

Patel told WBRC-TV that he immigrated to Alabama from India in 1992 and he became a naturalized citizen.

His attorney told the news station that the gas station's bathroom is reserved for employees only.

Here's Horsley's complete statement:

To Mr. Satyam Patel, owner of the Coosa Mart on Hwy 31, Pelham, Al.

I sincerely offer my apology to you for posting on Facebook that you denied me access to your restroom facility because I thought you to be a person of the Muslim Faith and due to the fact that I am a Veteran.

I also apologize to all that read and shared my post. For misleading you in such a manner.

I do hope and pray that all of us will strive to be more considerate and understanding of people of different faiths and beliefs. I have been in deep soul search these last few days and have come to realize that actions, like I took, can be misleading and hurtful. I do not apologize for my belief in God, Jesus Christ as my Savior or my belief in the Holy Bible as the infallible word of God nor do I apologize for by beliefs in a strong, unified America under God. I do apologize for allowing the temptations of misinformation to mar my thinking. This is an area that I will in the future be more discerning.

As for those that choose not to patronize Mr. Patel's business, I urge you to reconsider as I hope he will allow me to be his customer in the future.

Sincerely,

Robert Horsley