Former NFL standout, Antonio Brown, has returned to Miami to face an attempted murder charge related to a May shooting incident. Brown’s lawyer has submitted a not guilty plea on his behalf. Jail records in Essex County, N.J., indicate that Brown was released for transfer to Florida. He had agreed to extradition from New Jersey, where he was apprehended following his arrest in Dubai.
Brown’s attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, confirmed that he has filed a written not guilty plea in response to the attempted murder accusation. Brown is expected to appear in a Miami court for a bond hearing as early as Wednesday morning.
The arrest warrant alleges that Brown grabbed a handgun from a security staff member after a celebrity boxing match on May 16 and fired two shots at an individual he had earlier been involved in a physical altercation with. The victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, reported that one of the bullets grazed his neck.
Eiglarsh stated that Brown acted in self-defense against someone he had previous issues with. Brown maintained that he was protecting himself from individuals who attempted to steal his jewelry and cause him physical harm.
Brown was not immediately taken into custody on the night of the incident as the police initially did not recognize Nantambu as a victim. It wasn’t until May 21 that Nantambu provided a detailed account of the incident to the police and identified Brown as the shooter.
Facing a second-degree attempted murder charge in Florida, Brown could potentially receive a 15-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted. Brown, a former All-Pro wide receiver with a successful NFL career, played for Tampa Bay in 2021 but primarily represented Pittsburgh. Throughout his career, he accumulated impressive statistics, including 928 receptions, over 12,000 receiving yards, and 88 total touchdowns.
Brown has encountered various legal issues in the past, including allegations of battery against a moving truck driver, multiple domestic violence charges, and failure to pay child support, among other incidents. His football career took a drastic turn in 2021 when he infamously left the field during a game, leading to his release from the Buccaneers and effectively marking the end of his NFL tenure.
