Man who yelled 'Heil Hitler, Heil Trump' at 'Fiddler on the Roof': 'I'm so embarrassed'

Cydney Henderson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Heil Hitler, Heil Trump' shouted from 'Fiddler on the Roof' balcony Witnesses say the anti-Semitic cries prompted people at Baltimore's Hippodrome Theatre to run for exits and sparked fear that the man could begin shooting. Police say the man’s words are considered protected free speech so he wasn't arrested.

A man who interrupted a Wednesday night performance of "Fiddler on the Roof" in Baltimore with cries of "Heil Hitler" and "Heil Trump" is now apologizing for his behavior.

Anthony Derlunas, 58, was removed from the theater shortly after the outburst began, the Hippodrome Theatre said in a statement.

"I'm so embarrassed and ashamed and disgusted with myself," Derlunas told WBAL-TV 11 in a tearful apology, while concealing his face from the news cameras out of fear.

Derlunas said his frustrations with President Donald Trump boiled over during the play. His outburst was interpreted by many patrons as anti-Semitic, but Derlunas insists it was in fact anti-Trump.

Related: Man shouts 'Heil Hitler, Heil Trump' at 'Fiddler on the Roof' performance in Baltimore

Sick, sad world. A man stands at intermission of tonight’s performance of Fiddler in Baltimore and yells, “Heil Hitler,” along with pro-Trump references. pic.twitter.com/slDcPwF7re — Rich Scherr (@writerguyRich) November 15, 2018

"I was trying to compare Trump to (Adolf) Hitler because he plays into the fears of people and it just came out wrong," he told the station. "In the moment, it was just my frustration. I don't know what I was thinking."

The shouting prompted attendants at the Hippodrome Theatre to run for exits and sparked fear that the man could begin shooting, witnesses told local media.

"I didn't mean anything like that, but I realize now how it came off and how it scared those people. I'm so sorry," Derlunas said.

"I just want everybody to know I am sincerely sorry. I opened my mouth and it was so wrong, and I know that now. I am so ashamed. My heart goes out ... to everybody that was affected by my stupidity."

The Hippodrome Theatre condemned the man's actions.

"We do not tolerate behavior like we saw last night during intermission at 'Fiddler,' " the theater tweeted. "Our venue has a proud tradition of providing shared experiences to people from all walks of life and we will continue that tradition."

We do not tolerate behavior like we saw last night during intermission at “Fiddler.” Security handled the situation swiftly. Our venue has a proud tradition of providing shared experiences to people from all walks of life and we will continue that tradition. — Hippodrome Theatre (@HippodromeBway) November 15, 2018

The incident comes less than a month after a gunman killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue during a religious ceremony.

Contributing: Ryan Miller

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