Former NFL star Antonio Brown has been arrested on an attempted murder charge stemming from a shooting incident following a boxing match in Miami, confirmed by police on Thursday.
Brown, now aged 37, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Dubai and transported to Essex County, New Jersey, where he is held pending extradition to Miami, according to police spokesperson Mike Vega.
The circumstances surrounding his transfer to New Jersey remain unclear, with several unexplained posts on social media indicating that he may have spent considerable time in Dubai prior to his arrest.
An arrest warrant connected to the shooting incident from May 16 details that Brown allegedly seized a handgun from a security staff member after the boxing match. He is accused of firing two shots at Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, a man he had previously engaged in a fistfight with, resulting in one bullet grazing the victim’s neck.
No attorney for Brown has been publicly listed, and there is currently no information available regarding when he might be returned to Miami.
Brown faces a second-degree attempted murder charge, which could lead to a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted.
With a 12-year career in the NFL, Brown is known for his remarkable skills as an All-Pro wide receiver, having last played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 after a noteworthy career primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throughout his career, he recorded 928 receptions, over 12,000 yards, and 83 touchdowns.
However, his post-NFL life has been riddled with legal troubles, including accusations of battery against a moving truck driver, unpaid child support, and various domestic violence charges. Notably, during a game in 2021 while playing for the Buccaneers, Brown infamously removed his jersey and left the field, leading to his release from the team and the conclusion of his NFL career.
