Lindsey Buckingham, the 76-year-old guitarist known for his time with Fleetwood Mac, was reportedly struck by an unknown substance in Santa Monica while arriving for an appointment, then left unharmed as police investigated. Law enforcement sources say the woman fled and investigators from both the Los Angeles Police Department and the Santa Monica Police Department are pursuing leads, with an arrest expected. Buckingham has previously obtained a permanent restraining order against a stalking suspect, and authorities have not confirmed if the recent incident is connected. Fans and fellow musicians reacted with relief upon news that no injuries were reported.
If you remember Fleetwood Mac at their peak, the band left a mark that keeps drawing attention decades later. Lindsey Buckingham stood out as a songwriter and guitarist in that classic line-up, and the stories about the band’s past often come with a fair bit of drama. Recent events place him back in the headlines for reasons that have nothing to do with music, which is frustrating for anyone who respects his career.
Sources say Buckingham was arriving at a building in Santa Monica when a woman allegedly hurled an unidentified substance at him and then fled the scene. The 76-year-old was not injured in the encounter, and police described the suspect as someone with a history of problematic behavior toward Buckingham. Investigators identified the woman as a stalking suspect and noted Buckingham had been aware of her from prior incidents.
Law enforcement officials from both the Los Angeles Police Department and the Santa Monica Police Department have been working the case, and an arrest was expected as the story developed. The presence of two agencies underscores how seriously authorities treated the episode, given Buckingham’s profile and the prior reports of a stalking situation. Fans and observers were quick to point out how unsettling it is that a public figure can still face such dangers close to home.
Legendary rock guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, best known for his longtime tenure in Fleetwood Mac, was attacked in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Multiple law enforcement sources said the 76-year-old was set upon by a woman while arriving for an appointment in Santa Monica.
She hurled an unidentified substance at Buckingham when he entered the building and then fled the scene, according to NBC 4 Los Angeles.
The woman has been described as a stalking suspect, and law enforcement insiders say Buckingham was aware of her from prior incidents.
Buckingham is said not to have been injured in this week’s attack, and an arrest is expected to be made before long, with a suspect identified and both the Los Angeles Police Department and the Santa Monica Police Department on the case.
Buckingham previously secured a permanent restraining order against a woman identified as Michelle after a troubling pattern of behavior. At a December 2024 hearing he presented the judge with a photo taken outside his home and an audio clip, which led to a five-year protective order. Authorities have not publicly tied Michelle to the recent incident, and no official statement has confirmed whether the same individual was involved in both matters.
This week’s attack comes over a year after Buckingham was granted a permanent restraining order against a stalker who was identified as a 53-year-old called Michelle.
There has been no public indication from the authorities that Michelle was the woman who assaulted Buckingham this Wednesday.
At a hearing in December 2024, Buckingham showed the judge a picture Michelle had taken outside his house and played an ‘unmarked audio clip,’ per court documents.
As a result, the judge extended a previous temporary restraining order and afforded Buckingham five years of protection from Michelle, In Touch reported.
It’s a reminder that fame brings an unfortunate spotlight, and sometimes unwanted attention turns into harassment or worse. Buckingham’s musical legacy stretches from Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hits to solo work that many longtime fans appreciate, and people who grew up with that music took comfort in the report that he was okay. He has long been praised for his songwriting and contribution to the band’s signature sound, even if he was never the flashiest virtuoso on the circuit.
The reaction from fans ranged from concern to relief, with many simply grateful Buckingham avoided physical harm. Whatever the motive behind the attack, the immediate focus remained on identifying the suspect and ensuring Buckingham’s safety. As investigations continue, supporters are hoping the incident prompts a swift resolution and reinforces protections for public figures who face targeted harassment.
This seems appropriate; Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks played Stevie’s lovely song Landslide At Fleetwood Mac’s induction ceremony for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Lindsey’s almost certainly just as good on the guitar as he was then.
I’m sure I speak for more than a few graying old Boomers when I say, “Lindsey, we’re glad you’re OK.”
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