Former NFL star Antonio Brown has returned to Miami to face an attempted murder charge following a May shooting incident, with his attorney entering a not guilty plea on his behalf. Brown was released from jail in Essex County, N.J., for the transfer to Florida after waiving extradition. His lawyer, Mark Eiglarsh, confirmed the submission of a written not guilty plea to the attempted murder charge and mentioned that Brown could appear in a Miami courtroom for a bond hearing as early as Wednesday morning.
The arrest warrant alleges that Brown grabbed a handgun from a security personnel after a celebrity boxing match on May 16 and fired two shots at a man he had previously fought with, resulting in a neck graze for the victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu. Eiglarsh stated that Brown acted in self-defense against the victim’s violent actions and emphasized that Brown was defending himself from someone he had previous issues with.
Brown was not immediately apprehended on the night of the incident as the victim was not initially identified by the police. It was only on May 21 that Nantambu provided a detailed statement to law enforcement, identifying Brown as the shooter. Brown, who had been residing in Dubai based on his social media updates, claimed in a post-fight social media post that he defended himself against individuals attempting to steal his jewelry and harm him physically.
A second-degree attempted murder charge in Florida carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 upon conviction. Brown, known for his successful NFL career, notably with Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay, faces this legal issue alongside previous accusations including battery, domestic violence charges, and failure to pay child support. His football career took a tumultuous turn in 2021 when he abruptly left the field during a game, leading to his release by the Buccaneers and effectively marking the end of his football tenure.