Former NFL standout Antonio Brown is set to return to Miami to address an attempted murder charge related to a May shooting incident, with his attorney submitting a not guilty plea on his behalf. Records from Essex County Jail in New Jersey indicate Brown was released on Tuesday morning for the transfer to Florida. The former All-Pro wide receiver had agreed to be extradited to Florida from New Jersey following his apprehension in Dubai.
Brown’s legal representative, Mark Eiglarsh, mentioned in an email that he has formally entered a not guilty plea for the attempted murder accusation. It is anticipated that Brown could appear in a Miami court as soon as Wednesday morning for a bond hearing, as per Eiglarsh.
As per an arrest warrant, Brown is alleged to have seized a firearm from a security personnel after a celebrity boxing match on May 16 and discharged two rounds at an individual he had a physical altercation with earlier. The purported victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, informed authorities that one of the bullets grazed his neck.
Eiglarsh contended that Brown was acting in self-defense against a person he had prior conflicts with. He stated, “The actions he took were solely in self-defense against the alleged victim’s violent behavior. Brown was assaulted that evening and acted within his legal right to defend himself.”
Brown was not promptly detained that night because law enforcement initially did not recognize Nantambu as a victim. It was not until May 21 that Nantambu provided a comprehensive statement to the police about the incident, identifying Brown as the shooter, as outlined in the affidavit.
Based on his social media updates, Brown had been residing in Dubai for a number of months. Following the altercation, Brown mentioned on social media that he was protecting himself as he was “attacked by multiple individuals who attempted to steal my jewelry and cause physical harm to me.”
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, who enjoyed a 12-year career in the NFL, was an All-Pro wide receiver who most recently played in 2021 for Tampa Bay but spent the majority of his tenure with Pittsburgh. Throughout his career, Brown amassed 928 receptions for over 12,000 yards and scored 88 total touchdowns, including returns and one pass. He was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times.
Brown has faced several legal issues over the years, including allegations of battery against a moving truck driver, multiple domestic violence charges, failure to meet child support obligations, and other incidents.
In a 2021 game against the New York Jets while playing for Tampa Bay, Brown famously removed his jersey, shoulder pads, and gloves before departing the field, leading to his release by the Buccaneers and effectively concluding his football career.