Case Overview
Extradition and Attempted Murder Charges: Complete Case Details
Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Dubai on November 6, 2025, ending a months-long investigation. The 37-year-old faces a second-degree attempted murder charge with a firearm stemming from a shooting incident in the early hours of May 17, 2025, outside a celebrity boxing event hosted by streamer Adin Ross in Miami‘s Little Haiti neighborhood. Brown was transported to Essex County Jail in New Jersey and has waived extradition, clearing the way for his transfer to Miami-Dade County to face prosecution. This incident connects to broader issues in mass violence at sporting and entertainment events and athlete involvement in violent crime cases.
What led to this case: The incident occurred during an after-hours altercation at a celebrity boxing event. According to law enforcement records from the Miami Police Department, Brown became involved in a physical altercation with another attendee, seized a security guard’s handgun, and discharged the weapon twice. The victim sustained a bullet wound to the neck. After initial investigation at the scene, no charges were filed that night because victim identification was incomplete. However, following a thorough police investigation spanning several weeks, an arrest warrant was issued in June 2025. Brown evaded capture and fled to the United Arab Emirates, where he remained until his extradition to the U.S. in November 2025.
Chronological Timeline of Events
1
May 17, 2025 (~3:00 AM)
Shooting Incident at Boxing Event
The incident occurred near NE 67th Street in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood during a celebrity boxing event. According to the arrest warrant and police investigation, Brown became involved in a physical altercation with another attendee, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu. During the altercation, Brown allegedly seized a handgun from a security officer and discharged it twice at Nantambu, resulting in one bullet grazing Nantambu’s neck. A ShotSpotter alert was triggered by the gunfire, and police responded to the scene where shell casings were recovered. Such incidents reflect the vulnerabilities in celebrity boxing events where altercations can escalate to violence.
2
May 17, 2025 (Same Day)
Initial Detention and Release
Brown was temporarily detained by Miami police at the scene. Without an initially identified victim at the scene, charges were not filed that evening. Brown was released several hours after his detention. On social media, Brown posted that he had been “jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal” his jewelry, characterizing the incident as an attempted robbery rather than taking responsibility for the gunfire. His account diverged significantly from eyewitness video evidence recovered by investigators.
3
June 2025
Arrest Warrant Issued
After an extended investigation by Miami Police Detectives working in collaboration with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, an arrest warrant was issued charging Brown with second-degree attempted murder with a firearm. The warrant affidavit documented evidence including eyewitness accounts, video footage showing Brown with the firearm, and Nantambu’s identification of his injuries. This represents a significant development in Miami criminal justice cases involving serious felony charges.
4
June 2025 – November 2025
Five-Month Fugitive Period
Despite the active arrest warrant, Brown evaded capture and traveled to the United Arab Emirates. Throughout this period, Brown posted regularly to social media, including videos and photos from Dubai shared to his 15+ million Instagram followers. These posts appeared to show him at various locations and in vehicles, despite the active warrant issued by Miami-Dade authorities. Law enforcement agencies coordinated internationally to locate and apprehend Brown, demonstrating the reach of U.S. Marshals Service in tracking fugitives abroad.
5
November 6, 2025
International Apprehension and Extradition
U.S. Marshals apprehended Brown in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and transported him to the United States. He was booked into Essex County Correctional Facility in New Jersey. On November 7, 2025, Brown appeared before a judge in New Jersey and waived his right to contest extradition, allowing his transfer to Miami-Dade County, Florida, to face criminal prosecution. This process demonstrates the coordinated international law enforcement cooperation between the U.S. State Department and UAE authorities.
Geographic Journey: Incident to Extradition
The case spans three continents and multiple jurisdictions. Brown’s movement from the incident location in Miami to his fugitive hideaway in Dubai and subsequent capture illustrates the international coordination required in modern criminal investigations conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Incident Location
Little Haiti, Miami, Florida (NE 67th St.)
Initial Police Response
Miami Police Department (Scene Investigation)
Warrant Jurisdiction
Miami-Dade County, Florida
Fugitive Location
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Federal Custody
Essex County, New Jersey (November 6-7, 2025)
Prosecution Venue
Miami-Dade County Circuit Court, Florida
Criminal Charge and Statutory Penalties
Base Maximum Sentence
15 years imprisonment per Florida Statute § 775.082
Enhanced Penalty (10-20-Life Statute)
If convicted and the court finds that a firearm was discharged, Florida’s 10-20-Life law (§ 775.087) requires a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment before eligibility for parole or release
Additional Penalty
Up to $10,000 fine; permanent felony record; possible restrictions on firearm ownership and employment
Jurisdiction
Miami-Dade County Circuit Court, State of Florida
Understanding Florida’s 10-20-Life Law: This statute imposes mandatory minimum sentences when a firearm is used during certain felonies. For second-degree attempted murder, discharging a firearm triggers a 20-year minimum sentence regardless of whether the victim was injured. This is distinct from aggravated assault with a firearm, which carries a 20-year minimum if discharged and 25-years-to-life if the discharge causes injury or death. The statute reflects Florida’s strict approach to firearm-related violent crimes.
Incident Details and Evidence
Victim
Identified
Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, identified in arrest warrant. Sustained a gunshot wound to the neck area. Victim cooperation with police investigation was instrumental in identifying the suspect and documenting injuries for prosecution.
Weapon
Handgun
According to the arrest warrant, Brown seized a handgun from a security officer at the venue. Two shots were discharged during the incident. The firearm’s caliber is not specified in publicly available police documents maintained by the Miami Police Department.
Investigation Duration
Approximately 173 Days
From May 17, 2025 (incident date) to November 6, 2025 (extradition and apprehension). Investigation involved Miami Police Detectives, Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, and U.S. Marshals Service.
Video Evidence: Cell phone footage recovered from social media and eyewitness recordings documented the altercation and subsequent gunfire. The video evidence showed Brown in possession of the firearm, approaching the victim, and the moments when gunshots were fired. This documentation was critical to the arrest warrant affidavit and remains central to the prosecution’s case. The incident reflects broader concerns about violent incidents at celebrity boxing events.
Professional Football Career and Background
928
Career Receptions
12,291
Career Receiving Yards
83
Career Touchdowns
12
NFL Seasons
Brown’s NFL career spanned 12 seasons, primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he established himself as one of the league’s elite wide receivers. He was selected as an All-Pro multiple times and led the league in receiving yards in 2014 and 2017. After stints with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brown caught a touchdown pass in the Buccaneers’ 31-9 Super Bowl LV victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2021. His final NFL game occurred on January 2, 2022, when he removed his jersey and exited the field during a game against the New York Jets while with the Buccaneers, effectively ending his professional football career.
Current Case Status and Next Steps
As of November 8, 2025: Antonio Brown is in custody in Miami-Dade County awaiting trial on charges of second-degree attempted murder with a firearm. He has waived his right to contest extradition from New Jersey, confirming his transfer to Florida. The investigation was conducted by Miami Police Detectives in collaboration with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service. Miami Police stated: “Following a thorough investigation, Antonio Brown has been identified as the shooter. This is just another example of the relentless work and dedication of Miami Police Detectives, working closely with Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, and U.S. Marshals to identify and arrest those who commit crimes in the City of Miami.” Pending court proceedings will determine the date of arraignment, bail eligibility, and trial scheduling. Discovery of evidence by the prosecution and defense continues as the case moves through the Florida criminal justice system. This case adds to the documented pattern of athlete involvement in violent crime investigations and ongoing concerns about violence at sports and entertainment venues.
