As France struggled to come to grips with the series of brutal terror attacks that devastated Paris, Southern California families and friends were anxious to find out if their loved ones are OK.
At least 100 fans of Palm Desert band Eagles of Death Metal were killed when terrorists stormed a concert at the Bataclan Concert Hall in Paris, one of at least six locations targeted in a series of attacks across the city, authorities said. Police said they killed one of the terrorists and seven others blew themselves up.
At least 127 people were killed in the worst attacks on France since World War II. Americans were among the 200 wounded, the State Department said on Saturday. French President Francois Hollande vowed a "merciless" response against the perpetrators, as ISIS claimed responsibility.
Friday night, band co-founder Josh Homme, who was not traveling with the band, expressed his concern for his bandmates, their crew and fans.
Philippe Caupin, who lives in Rancho Mirage, said his 31-year-old niece, Amandeen Andretto, lives in Paris and was at the concert.
“My brother in-law told me they cannot get in touch with their daughter that was at the concert, and they’ve been trying to call her for three hours and no news, so they were extremely concerned and worried,” Caupin said. “Then we got a phone call saying she was at the hospital ... but her life is not in danger, so she’s OK.”
They found out she had been shot in the leg and arm, but will survive.
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On Facebook, the brother of the band's frontman Jesse Hughes said in part that Jesse "is ok. I spoke to him an hour ago. The band is ok too."
Art Hainey is friends with the members of Eagles of Death Metal and said he's been hearing stories about their escape from the theatre all day.
"They're just really nice, down-to-earth people and I know they love their fans and they're probably just heart sick right now about what's going on," Hainey said.
