Antonio Brown once came to Florida to catch a touchdown pass from Tom Brady in the Super Bowl. Now, Brown is returning to Florida to face second-degree attempted murder charges.
What did Brown do, and what potential consequences does he face?
What Led to Charges Against Antonio Brown?
In May 2025, Former NFL player Antonio Brown attended a celebrity boxing event in Miami, Florida. At around 3 AM after the event, police officers received an alert from a gunshot-detection system outside of the stadium.
When police arrived, they did not find any gunshot victims at the scene. They detained Brown and other individuals to question them, but no arrests were made, per reporting by CNN.
Later, videos offered insight into what happened. In one video, Brown is in a physical altercation with a group of others. He then pursues an individual, and moments later, gunshots are heard.
After the incident, Brown claimed self-defense on Instagram. He said, “[I was] jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal my jewelry and cause physical harm to me.” Brown did not mention gunfire.
More details came out when the man who was shot came forward. Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu gave a statement to police and claimed Brown shot him and a bullet grazed his neck. Investigators believe Brown took a gun from a security guard and used it to shoot Nantambu, per reporting by CNN.
In June, authorities issued an arrest warrant for Brown, but it would take months for them to apprehend him.
Related: If You’re Arrested for a Crime in Florida, Immediately Take These 6 Steps
Brown Arrested Four Months After Incident
Authorities searched for Brown for four months in an attempt to arrest and charge him with second-degree attempted murder.
During that time, Brown began posting photos of himself in Dubai. Eventually, authorities were sent to Dubai to arrest Brown and bring him back to the United States to face charges.
In November, US Marshals in Dubai arrested Brown and extradited him to Essex County, New Jersey. Next, Brown will go to Florida where he will face charges of second-degree murder.
Miami’s chief of police, Chief Manuel Morales called this a win for justice. In a statement, he said, “Let this serve as a clear message: No matter who you are or where you run, we will pursue the facts, identify you, locate you, and bring you to justice. To anyone even considering committing a crime in Miami — know this: We will find you.”
Brown appears ready to fight the charges. He hired a criminal defense attorney and stands by his case of self-defense.
Brown’s attorney Mark Eiglarsh said in a statement, “The actions he [Brown] was forced to take were solely in self-defense against the alleged victim’s violent behavior. Brown was attacked that night and acted within his legal right to protect himself from an individual who previously committed criminal acts against him.”
Related: What to Ask During a Free Consultation with a Lawyer
Could Brown Invoke a Stand Your Ground Defense?
If Brown is found guilty, he faces serious consequences.
Second-degree murder charges are used in situations when a defendant showed a disregard for human life. Their actions were not premeditated (as they are with first-degree murder charges), but the defendant acted in a way that was intentional, reckless, and could have killed someone.
In Florida, second-degree attempted murder charges carry a penalty of 15 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
A possible defense for Brown could be invoking Stand Your Ground laws. In Florida, Stand Your Ground laws give legal protection for people who feel their life is being threatened by another person. Stand Your Ground laws were recently back in the news after Netflix released a documentary about a fatal shooting in a Florida neighborhood that left one mother dead.
Florida Statute 776.012 describes the law as, “A person is justified in using or threatening to use deadly force if he or she reasonably believes that using or threatening to use such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony.”
For Brown to use a Stand Your Ground defense, he would have to prove:
- He had a right to be in the area where the incident occurred.
- He did not start or escalate the altercation.
- His life was in danger when he decided to shoot at Nantambu.
Brown’s case may be difficult to make based on the evidence against him. In the video, Brown appears to pursue Nantambu, and existing evidence does not show that Nantambu had a gun or was otherwise threatening Brown’s life.
We’ll have to wait and see what new perspectives and evidence Brown’s legal team can bring to the case.
Get Expert Legal Advice in Florida
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Get an attorney to help you during life’s most challenging moments. TJ Grimaldi is an experienced criminal defense attorney based in Tampa, Florida. Talk to him about your case to ensure you get the best representation and best possible outcome. Speak directly with TJ during a free consultation. Request your consultation or call 813-226-1023.