Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown is facing serious legal charges linked to a shooting at an amateur boxing event in Miami. An arrest warrant has been issued for Brown, charging him with second-degree attempted murder after allegedly pulling a handgun from a security guard and firing shots at a man he had previously been fighting with. The victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, claims one of the shots grazed his neck.
Brown, 36, who became an All-Pro wide receiver during his NFL career, last played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 but made his mark in the league primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers. There is no attorney listed for Brown in the warrant, and he has not responded to communication attempts through social media.
The charge of second-degree attempted murder carries severe consequences, potentially leading to a prison sentence of up to 15 years and a fine of $10,000. This incident adds to a series of legal challenges faced by Brown, who has previously been involved in disputes ranging from battery against a moving truck driver and various domestic violence charges to accusations of unpaid child support. Until his release following a dramatic on-field incident against the New York Jets, during which he discarded his gear and exited the field, Brown had been a key player for the Buccaneers alongside quarterback Tom Brady.
Brady, who provided moral support to Brown by housing him during their time together on the Buccaneers, once commented on the receiver’s struggles by advocating for compassion. “It’s a difficult situation,” Brady said, emphasizing the importance of supporting Brown in meaningful ways despite his exit from the team. “We all love him. We care about him deeply. We want to see him be at his best. Unfortunately, it won’t be with our team.”
The incident in Miami, occurring on May 16, disrupted a celebrity boxing event and drew law enforcement to the venue. Although Brown was initially detained, he was released when the victim had not been located and no weapon was found, even though two bullet casings were recovered. Witnesses and video footage reportedly identified Brown as the shooter, with security officials originally attempting to diffuse a situation that included Brown and other attendees.
The warrant describes that Brown allegedly retrieved a firearm from a security official’s waist area and approached Nantambu, leading to the discharge of two shots, captured on video. Social media footage shows Brown in possession of the firearm, as he gets close to Nantambu. Nantambu later confirmed to investigators that Brown was the individual who shot at him, and they have known each other since at least 2022.
Brown took to social media following the altercation, claiming self-defense against an attempted robbery. He asserted that he had been attacked by multiple people aiming to steal his jewelry and inflict physical harm.
Antonio Brown’s career in the NFL was marked by extraordinary achievements on the field, including 928 receptions, 12,291 receiving yards, and 88 touchdown catches. Over his 12 years in the league, Brown played for several teams, namely the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His performance earned him a Super Bowl championship with Tampa Bay in 2021 and seven Pro Bowl selections.