Former NFL star Antonio Brown has been arrested on attempted murder charges following a shooting following a celebrity boxing event in Miami, police confirmed Thursday.
Miami police spokesman Mike Vega said Brown, 37, was arrested by US Marshals in Dubai. He was flown to Essex County, New Jersey, where he was detained awaiting extradition to Miami, Vega said.
It was not clear why Brown was transferred to New Jersey first or how long he spent in Dubai, although he posted several times on social media over the past few months from there.
According to an arrest warrant detailing the May 16 shooting, Brown is accused of grabbing a gun from a security employee after a boxing match and firing two shots at a man he had argued with earlier. The victim, Zulqarnain Kwame Nantambu, told investigators that one of the bullets hit his neck.
It was not clear from court documents whether Brown had an attorney. It was not immediately known when Brown might return to Miami.
The attempted second-degree murder charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted.
Brown, who spent 12 years in the NFL, was an All-Pro wide receiver who last played in 2021 for Tampa Bay but spent most of his career with Pittsburgh. During his career, Brown made 928 receptions for over 12,000 yards and 83 touchdowns.
Brown has dealt with many legal problems over the years. He had previously been charged with battery of a moving truck driver, numerous domestic violence charges, failure to pay child support and other incidents. During Tampa Bay’s 2021 game against the New York Jets, Brown took off his jersey, shoulder pads, and gloves and walked off the field, leading to his release by the Buccaneers and effectively ending his playing career.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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