Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown has been arrested on an attempted murder charge stemming from a May 2025 shooting incident outside a celebrity boxing event in Miami, according to police and court records.
Authorities say Brown, 37, was taken into custody Thursday after being extradited from Dubai by U.S. Marshals. He faces a charge of second-degree attempted murder with a firearm, carrying a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The Miami-Dade Police Department alleges that Brown was involved in a violent altercation outside a downtown Miami venue on May 16, during which he allegedly seized a handgun from a security staff member and fired two rounds toward another man, identified as Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu. One bullet reportedly grazed Nantambu’s neck, and he was treated at a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses told investigators that the argument began after a dispute over event access and quickly escalated. Police issued an arrest warrant days later, but Brown had already left the United States, reportedly flying to Dubai.
For months, Brown’s legal status remained uncertain until an international warrant was executed. According to Reuters, Brown was detained by authorities in the United Arab Emirates earlier this week and flown back to Miami on November 6 under U.S. escort. He is currently being held without bond pending an initial court appearance.
Once among the NFL’s most electrifying players, Brown’s post-football career has been mired in controversy — including arrests for assault, domestic disputes, and erratic behavior on social media. During his time with the Steelers (2010–2018), he earned seven Pro Bowl selections and was widely considered one of the league’s best receivers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have yet to comment on the case. Brown’s attorney, Jonathan Copeland, issued a brief statement Friday insisting his client “intends to fight these charges vigorously” and claiming that “the facts have been exaggerated.”
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office has confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing.
If convicted, Brown’s fall from NFL greatness to facing life-changing prison time would mark one of the most dramatic declines in modern sports history.
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