A teenager was formally charged in the 2023 assault of Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen. Per a previous report from ABC News reports, police in Fort Lauderdale, Florida charged 19-year-old Max Hartley with felony assault and abuse of the elderly or a disabled adult. The news outlet goes on to state that, after being released from jail on bond, the Ohio teenager was asked to comment by a local news station but he did not.
In March 2023, it was reported that Allen, 59, was smoking a cigarette outside of the Four Seasons Hotel in Fort Lauderdale Beach, where Def Leppard was in town for a co-headlining show with Mötley Crüe at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Suddenly, Hartley allegedly emerged from behind a nearby pole and began running full speed at Allen, eventually hitting him and knocking him to the ground. The outlet went on to state — per a police report — that a woman came to help Allen, but Hartley shoved her to the ground as well.
The woman then attempted to run into the hotel for help but was stopped by Hartley, who pulled her away by her hair. The 19-year-old fled the scene and ran to another hotel in the area, but was caught sometime later by police after allegedly damaging a number of automobiles. Hartley was arrested and booked on multiple charges: elder abuse, battery and criminal mischief. He was later released from jail after posting bail.
Following the assault, Allen shared a statement, saying, “Thank you everyone for your overwhelming support. Your love and prayers are truly helping.” He then clarified, “My wife Lauren [Monroe] was thankfully not with me at the time of the incident. We are together now, and working on recovering in a safe space.” Allen added that he and his family simply want “healing for everyone involved.”
The musician continued, “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.”
Fans of Def Leppard will remember that Allen drums with only his right arm — as well as his feet — after losing his left arm in 1984 following a terrible car accident. Allen’s arm was severed in the crash, but doctors were initially able to reattach it. However, the musician ended up suffering an infection that required the arm to be amputated again. Allen eventually recovered from his procedures and continued on as Def Leppard’s drummer.