Former NFL standout Antonio Brown has returned to Miami to address an attempted murder charge linked to a shooting incident in May, as confirmed by his attorney who submitted a plea of not guilty on his behalf. Jail records from Essex County, N.J., indicate that Brown was released on Tuesday morning for the transfer to Florida after agreeing to extradition from New Jersey, where he was detained following his arrest in Dubai.
Mark Eiglarsh, Brown’s legal representative, stated via email that a written not guilty plea has been formally submitted for the attempted murder allegation. Brown is expected to appear in a Miami courthouse possibly as early as Wednesday morning for a bond hearing, as mentioned by Eiglarsh.
The arrest warrant alleges that Brown is accused of seizing a handgun from a security personnel following a celebrity boxing match on May 16 and firing two shots at an individual with whom he had a physical altercation earlier. The victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, reported to investigators that one of the bullets grazed his neck.
Eiglarsh emphasized that Brown’s actions were in self-defense against someone he had previous issues with. He stated, “The actions he was forced to take were solely in self-defense against the alleged victim’s violent behavior. Brown was attacked that night and acted within his legal right to protect himself.”
Following the incident, Brown was not promptly arrested as Nantambu was not initially recognized as a victim by the police. It was only on May 21 that Nantambu provided a detailed statement to law enforcement, identifying Brown as the shooter, according to the affidavit.
Brown, who had been residing in Dubai based on his social media updates, faced the altercation due to defending himself against multiple individuals attempting to steal his valuables and cause him harm, as per a social media post he made.
A second-degree attempted murder charge in Florida carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 upon conviction. Brown, a former All-Pro wide receiver who played in the NFL for 12 years, last appeared in 2021 for Tampa Bay but predominantly represented Pittsburgh during his career. With a notable record of 928 receptions, over 12,000 yards gained, and a total of 88 touchdowns including returns and one pass, Brown was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection.
Over the years, Brown has encountered numerous legal issues, including allegations of battery against a moving truck driver, various domestic violence charges, failure to meet child support obligations, and other incidents. His NFL career faced a significant setback in 2021 during a game against the New York Jets when he removed his gear and left the field abruptly, leading to his dismissal by the Buccaneers and effectively marking the end of his football career.
