Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Speaks Out About Acrobat's Death at Mad Cool Festival

Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong has released a statement following the death of an acrobat prior to their set at the 2017 Mad Cool Festival this weekend in Madrid, Spain.

Pedro Aunión Monroy sadly plunged to his death in front of concertgoers while doing an aerial stunt before the band hit the stage.

“We are so sad for Pedro and his family and we pray for them in this time of grief,” Billie wrote. “I can’t imagine how much suffering the friends and family are going through.”

“Many of you are wondering why we continued to play our show after the accident. Green Day did not hear about the accident until after our show was over,” he said. “We didn’t even know there was an acrobat performance at all. these festivals are huge. There are so many things happening at the same time it’s impossible to keep up with every performer/artist.”

“If we had known prior to our performance we most likely would not have played at all,” Billie said. “We are not heartless people. The safety and well being at any of our concerts absolutely comes first.”

“What happened to Pedro is unthinkable. Once again we are heartbroken for his friends and family. and we are also shocked and heartbroken for anyone that had to witness this tragedy,” he concluded.

Our thoughts go out to Pedro‘s family and friends right now.