Antonio Brown Arrested in Dubai on Miami Attempted Murder Charge/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after a shooting incident in Miami. Authorities allege Brown fired two shots after a post-fight altercation at a celebrity boxing event. He was apprehended in Dubai and is awaiting extradition to Florida.
Antonio Brown Shooting Case Quick Looks
- Antonio Brown arrested on second-degree attempted murder charge.
- Incident occurred after celebrity boxing event in Miami on May 16.
- Brown allegedly fired two shots following a fistfight.
- Victim grazed in the neck; Brown fled the country afterward.
- Arrested by U.S. Marshals in Dubai, transferred to New Jersey.
- Awaiting extradition to Miami; legal representation unknown.
- Former NFL star had multiple prior legal troubles.
- Brown last played in the NFL in 2021.
Antonio Brown Arrested in Dubai on Miami Attempted Murder Charge
Deep Look
MIAMI — Former NFL All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown has been arrested and charged with second-degree attempted murder following a shooting that took place after a celebrity boxing match in Miami earlier this year, authorities confirmed Thursday.
Brown, 37, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Dubai, where he had been residing in recent months. Miami Police spokesman Mike Vega said Brown was transported to Essex County, New Jersey, where he is being held while awaiting extradition back to Miami.
It remains unclear why Brown was routed through New Jersey or how long he had been overseas, but social media posts suggest he had been active in Dubai for some time. Law enforcement officials confirmed that he was located and arrested as part of an international fugitive recovery operation.
Details of the Shooting
The charges stem from a shooting that occurred on May 16 following a high-profile boxing event in Miami. According to the arrest warrant, Brown allegedly got into a physical altercation with Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu during or shortly after the event. Investigators say Brown later retrieved a firearm from a member of the security team and fired two shots at Nantambu.
One of the bullets reportedly grazed the victim’s neck, though no life-threatening injuries were reported. The incident caused panic in the venue, with attendees fleeing the area before police arrived.
Brown then left the country, further complicating the investigation. It was not immediately clear whether he has retained legal counsel. Officials have not provided a timeline for his extradition to Florida, and no court date has been set.
If convicted, Brown faces up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine under Florida’s statutes for second-degree attempted murder.
A Troubled Post-NFL Timeline
Brown’s once-brilliant football career has been overshadowed in recent years by a series of off-field incidents, legal battles, and controversial behavior. Widely regarded as one of the most talented receivers of his generation, Brown played 12 seasons in the NFL, most notably with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
His career stat line includes 928 receptions for more than 12,000 yards and 83 touchdowns — achievements that once made him a surefire Hall of Fame candidate.
However, since his final NFL appearance with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, Brown has frequently made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
His exit from the NFL was marked by infamy. During a game against the New York Jets in January 2022, Brown abruptly removed his jersey, shoulder pads, and gloves on the sideline before running off the field mid-game. The bizarre moment led to his immediate release from the Buccaneers and effectively ended his playing career.
Since then, Brown has faced a slew of legal problems, including:
- Battery Charges involving a moving truck driver in 2020.
- Multiple Domestic Violence Allegations and restraining orders filed against him.
- Child Support Disputes leading to warrants and court orders.
- Civil Suits stemming from unpaid debts and business dealings.
Despite these controversies, Brown has attempted to reinvent himself as a media personality and entrepreneur. He briefly owned a stake in the Albany Empire, an arena football team, but was removed after a tumultuous tenure marked by financial mismanagement and lawsuits.
NFL Reacts Quietly
As of Friday morning, the NFL has not issued an official statement regarding Brown’s arrest. Because Brown is no longer an active player, the league’s conduct policies do not directly apply. However, several current and former players have taken to social media expressing disappointment and shock over the escalating nature of Brown’s legal troubles.
“This is a guy who had everything — talent, fame, opportunity,” one former teammate said anonymously. “It’s sad to see it come to this.”
What Happens Next
Brown will remain in custody in Essex County, New Jersey, until the extradition process is complete. He is expected to be transported to Florida to face charges in the coming days or weeks, though no official timeline has been released.
Authorities say more charges could be filed depending on the outcome of the investigation and any additional evidence.
For now, a once-celebrated NFL star faces the grim possibility of a lengthy prison sentence — and another chapter in a tragic post-football decline.
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