DENVER (CBS4/AP) — Some Colorado fans are upset after music superstar Madonna used guns during a performance.

Madonna started her show Thursday night at the Pepsi Center in Denver with a gun scene, which she has used in previous performances. She was also accused of being more than three hours late to the show.

People took to social media to complain about how they were offended she used guns and violence as part of her show in light of recent events in the state that included a mass shooting at a theater during a Batman movie on July 20 that left 12 people dead.

“Really, Madonna? Keep Denver waiting 3 hours, then open with guns? And pretend to shoot people in the front of the theater? And that’s art?” one woman said on Twitter.

Another woman tweeted: “Madonna 3 hours late for Pepsi Center concert with no apology, then proceeds with ‘Bang Bang’ in city plagued with gun violence.”

“I was shaken by it and I saw people in the audience shaken by it as well,” said Peter Burns, who was friends with Jessica Ghawi, who died in the theater shooting. “I turned to my girlfriend and said, ‘I don’t feel comfortable with this.’ ”

Burns said he saw some people in the audience get up and leave.

James Holmes, 24, was charged with 24 counts of first-degree murder and 116 counts of attempted murder in the Aurora movie theater shooting.

Madonna released a statement saying the guns used in the show are “metaphors.”

“I do not condone violence or the use of guns,” Madonna said. “Rather they are symbols of wanting to appear strong and wanting to find a way to stop feelings that I find hurtful or damaging. In my case it’s wanting to stop the lies and hypocrisy of the church, the intolerance of many narrow minded cultures and societies I have experienced throughout my life and in some cases the pain I have felt from having my heart broken.”

The statement was released in a bizarre, rambling fashion that she called her “MDNA Show Manifesto.” Click here to read the entire statement.

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