Rick Allen, drummer for the legendary rock band Def Leppard, was reportedly attacked Monday outside of a Four Seasons hotel in South Florida.
Allen was in the region to perform with Def Leppard as they co-headlined with Mötley Crüe at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Allen, who lost an arm in a 1984 car accident, was having a cigarette by the hotel valet area when 19-year-old Max Edward Hartley violently assaulted him, according to 7News Miami.
Allen “hit his head on the ground causing injury” during the reported attack, according to the outlet.
Fort Lauderdale police said Hartley hid behind a column outside the hotel before running toward Allen and knocking him to the ground, according to 7News.
The police report indicated a woman ran out of the hotel to help Allen and was also attacked by Hartley, the outlet continued.
“While she is on the ground, the defendant continues to batter her by striking her,” the report reads, according to 7News. “[She] attempts to escape by running into the hotel. The defendant then grabs [her] by her hair and drags her out of the lobby and back onto the sidewalk before fleeing the area.”
Police arrested Hartley a short time later, when he was spotted smashing car windows near the hotel, according to 7News.
7News reporters attempted to question Hartley, who simply responded saying, “Stop,” the outlet continued.
Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen was violently attacked outside his hotel in Florida: https://t.co/8R4RBzhTiI pic.twitter.com/oazQTT9aCM
— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) March 16, 2023
Hartley had visible injuries on his elbows when he raised his arms to conceal his face from the cameras, 7News reported. He received multiple charges including two counts of battery, four counts of criminal mischief, and abusing an elderly or disabled adult. Allen is pursuing charges against him, according to the outlet. (Rapper Playboi Carti Arrested For Allegedly Choking Pregnant Girlfriend)
Hartley reportedly posted bail and was released from Broward County Jail on Tuesday.