Rod Stewart and Son Sean Ordered to Appear in Palm Beach Court After Altercation on New Year's Eve

According to a probable cause affidavit, the argument escalated after the two were denied access to a private event

Rod Stewart and his eldest son, Sean, were allegedly involved in an altercation in Palm Beach, Florida, on New Year’s Eve.

The father and son are accused by police in Palm Beach of simple battery, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE. They were ordered to appear at the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Complex on Feb. 5, according to the affidavit.

According to the police report, the two — who were with a group of people — became “agitated” after being denied access to a private event being held at The Breakers, a resort in Palm Beach. The event was being held in “a children’s area” of the resort, according to the affidavit.

“The group began to get loud and cause a scene, and refused to follow … instructions to leave,” the affidavit stated.

Rod Stewart and Sean Stewart
Rod and Sean Stewart. Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

The argument escalated and the report alleges Sean, 39, “shoved” what is believed to have been an event security guard, with Rod following with a punch shortly thereafter that struck the guard in the “left ribcage area.”

The report stated that the British musician, 74, then apologized for his actions.

“It was a brief misunderstanding and neither Rod nor Sean were detained,” a source familiar with the situation told PEOPLE. “Apologies were exchanged and there were no injuries.”

A rep for Rod Stewart had no comment.

“They were being loud and disruptive all night,” a second source told PEOPLE of the incident. “It was like a frat party.”

When contacted for comment, the resort told PEOPLE, “The Breakers Palm Beach has no information to share.”

Rod shares Sean, one of his eight children, with his ex-wife Alana Stewart. The couple split in 1984.

The Grammy winner is now married to Penny Lancaster.

Updated by
Joelle Goldstein,
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Joelle Goldstein is a Senior News Editor on the TV team for PEOPLE Digital. She has been with the brand since 2017, working as an intern, digital news writer and Human Interest writer-reporter before joining the TV team to help oversee and edit digital coverage. Her work has previously appeared in The Hollywood Reporter.
Linda Marx,

Linda Marx is a writer and reporter for PEOPLE in the areas of entertainment, politics, sports, fashion, travel, design, human interest, lifestyle and art. She has been writing about these topics for more than 20 years.

and
Sarah Michaud
Sarah Michaud
Sarah Michaud is the senior news editor of PEOPLE's music vertical. She has been working at PEOPLE for 15 years.

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