TMZ initially reported that Allen was smoking a cigarette outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Fort Lauderdale Beach when 19-year-old suspect Max Hartley ran towards him at full speed, striking the rocker and knocking him backward and slamming his head on the ground.
A woman came out of the hotel to try to help Allen, but Hartley also knocked her to the ground and then prevented her from re-entering the hotel before fleeing to another hotel nearby, where he was arrested and booked on two counts of battery, four counts of criminal mischief, and abusing an elderly or disabled adult; the suspect was later released after posting bail.
“Thank you everyone for your overwhelming support,” shared Allen and his wife Lauren Monroe on social media. “Your love and prayers are truly helping. My wife Lauren was thankfully not with me at the time of the incident. We are together now, and working on recovering in a safe space. We are focusing on healing for everyone involved.
“We ask you to join us in our effort to move from confusion and shock to compassion and empathy. We understand this act of violence can be triggering for so many people. To all of the fans, veterans, and first responders in our global community we are thinking of you all. Together with love, we can all get through these difficult times.”
The alleged incident took place the day after Def Leppard and Motley Crue performed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel And Casino as part of their recently-launched world tour; the series will resume in Sheffield, UK on May 22.
Def Leppard’s current release is 2022’s “Diamond Star Halos”; pick up your copy here.
See also:
Def Leppard preview new orchestral album Drastic Symphonies
Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen allegedly assaulted at Florida hotel
Def Leppard launch Behind The World Tour video series
Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott explains Bogota health issue
Search Def Leppard at hennemusic
