Former NFL star Antonio Brown has been arrested on an attempted murder charge stemming from a shooting after a celebrity boxing event in Miami, police confirmed Thursday.
Brown, 37, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Dubai, said Miami police spokesman Mike Vega. He was later flown to Essex County, New Jersey, where he is being held pending extradition to Miami.
The motive behind his relocation to New Jersey first remains unclear, as does the duration of his stay in Dubai, despite him frequently posting on social media from there over the past few months.
According to an arrest warrant issued in relation to the shooting on May 16, Brown is accused of seizing a handgun from a security staffer and firing two shots at a man identified as Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, with whom he had previously engaged in a fistfight. Nantambu reported to investigators that one of the bullets grazed his neck.
As of now, it is uncertain whether Brown has secured legal representation, and details regarding when he might be returned to Miami are still pending. A second-degree attempted murder charge carries potentially severe consequences, including a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and a fine of up to $10,000 upon conviction.
Brown's NFL career, spanning 12 years, was marked by his prolific performance as an All-Pro wide receiver, primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers, despite a controversial end to his playing days with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021.
Brown's history is marred by numerous legal troubles, including allegations surrounding battery, domestic violence, and failure to meet child support obligations. His erratic behavior peaked in 2021 when he dramatically left a game mid-play, which led to his release from the Buccaneers and effectively concluded his professional career.
