(hennemusic) Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen has issued his first public statement after allegedly being assaulted outside a Florida hotel on March 13.
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.
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."
Read more of the couple's statement here.
Motley Crue and Def Leppard Add Australian Dates To The World Tour
Def Leppard Go Behind The Scenes Of 'Drastic Symphonies' Launch
Motley Crue Stream Video Recap Of Sheffield Concert
Def Leppard's 'Drastic Symphonies' Arrives
Sites and Sounds: Music Festivals Set to Rock St. Louis All Summer
Sites and Sounds: Tupelo Elvis Festival
Caught In The Act: Frankie Valli Live 2023
Caught In The Act: Winger Live 2023
Noel Gallagher Reacts To Negative Tweet From Estranged Brother Liam
Metallica Stream Hamburg Performance Of 'Until It Sleeps'
Rare Americans Release Act I Of New Album And Animated Film
Oceanhoarse Cover Metallica's 'The Four Horsemen'
Aurora Dream Give RUBIX A 8-Bit Makeover With RUBIT
Singled Out: Univore's Mister Good Vibes
Def Leppard Perform In Three Countries In One Day
Foo Fighters Announce Stadium Tour Down Under