Former NFL star Antonio Brown has returned to Miami to face an attempted murder charge related to a May shooting. Brown’s attorney submitted a not guilty plea on his behalf. Records show Brown was released in Essex County, N.J., for the transfer to Florida after waiving extradition. His lawyer, Mark Eiglarsh, confirmed the filing of the not guilty plea to the attempted murder charge and mentioned that Brown could appear in a Miami court for a bond hearing as early as Wednesday morning.
The arrest warrant alleges that Brown took a handgun from a security staffer after a celebrity boxing match on May 16 and fired two shots at an individual he had earlier fought with, resulting in the victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, sustaining a neck graze from one of the bullets. According to Eiglarsh, Brown acted in self-defense against the alleged victim’s violent actions, emphasizing that Brown was defending himself from a past adversary.
The incident initially did not lead to Brown’s immediate arrest as Nantambu was not initially identified as the victim by the police. It was not until May 21 that Nantambu provided a full statement to the authorities, identifying Brown as the shooter. Brown, who had been residing in Dubai based on his social media activity, claimed on social media that he was protecting himself from individuals who attempted to rob him and cause him harm.
A second-degree attempted murder charge in Florida carries a maximum 15-year prison term and a potential $10,000 fine upon conviction. Brown, a former All-Pro wide receiver with a 12-year NFL career, played for teams like Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh. Throughout his career, Brown achieved significant milestones, including 928 receptions, over 12,000 receiving yards, and 88 total touchdowns. However, he has faced various legal issues in the past, such as battery allegations, domestic violence charges, and failure to pay child support.
In a notable incident during a 2021 game against the New York Jets, Brown abruptly left the field by removing his jersey, shoulder pads, and gloves, leading to his release by the Buccaneers and effectively marking the end of his football career.