Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown is once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Authorities in Miami-Dade County have issued an arrest warrant for the 36-year-old on a charge of attempted murder with a firearm, following a violent incident at a celebrity boxing event last month.
Antonio Brown
According to court documents reviewed by multiple sources, the warrant was signed by a judge on June 11 and calls for Brown to post a $10,000 bond and remain under house arrest pending trial. The charge stems from a confrontation that took place on May 16 outside a venue in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood, where a boxing match featuring celebrities had drawn a large crowd.
Details of the May 16 Altercation
Police reports state that officers were called to the scene just before midnight in response to gunshots being fired. An off-duty officer working security at the event told investigators he exited the venue after hearing the shots and witnessed Brown physically fighting another man in the parking area. While Brown was found unarmed when patted down, officers recovered two spent shell casings and an empty gun holster at the scene.
Eyewitnesses claimed Brown was the shooter. Surveillance footage later obtained by detectives reportedly shows Brown involved in a heated physical altercation, during which he appears to grab a firearm from a nearby security officer and charge toward the man he had just assaulted. Cellphone video allegedly captures the sound of two gunshots during the chase, with the victim seen ducking to avoid being hit.
Victim’s Statement and Evidence
On May 21, detectives met with the man who claimed to be the victim of the shooting. He told police that Brown fired twice at him, grazing his neck, before the two struggled over the weapon. The altercation ended before police intervened, and the man later sought treatment at Aventura Hospital for minor injuries. He identified Brown in the surveillance footage and confirmed he had known him since 2022.
Efforts to contact Brown for comment have been unsuccessful, and it remains unclear whether he has legal representation at this time. The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office declined to make a public statement regarding the case.
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Brown’s Tumultuous NFL Career and Exit
Brown, a once-celebrated athlete, last played in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2021 season. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010, he quickly rose to prominence and earned All-Pro honors for four consecutive years from 2014 to 2017. However, his career spiraled amid a series of controversies, both on and off the field.
Following his departure from Pittsburgh, Brown had short-lived and tumultuous stints with the Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, and eventually the Buccaneers. His time in New England ended abruptly after just one game when he was released in the wake of a civil lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct. His eventual Super Bowl win with the Buccaneers was overshadowed by continuing allegations of erratic behavior.
Off-Field Troubles and Legal Issues
Brown’s career came to a dramatic and bizarre close during a 2021 game against the New York Jets, when he stripped off his uniform mid-game and jogged shirtless off the field, waving to the crowd. Since leaving the league, Brown has remained in headlines for a variety of legal issues, including allegations of domestic violence, failure to pay child support, and claims of exposing himself in public.
In May 2024, he reportedly filed for bankruptcy amid mounting legal and financial challenges. Most recently, Brown has been at the center of an attempted murder case, further intensifying public scrutiny. He has also publicly suggested that his behavior could be linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition associated with repeated head trauma, common among football players.
Future Uncertain as Legal Battle Looms
Though Brown has not played professionally in years, his name continues to generate headlines for all the wrong reasons. This latest charge marks a new low in a long string of troubling incidents, leaving fans, former teammates, and observers grappling with the unraveling of a once-great talent.
The NFL has not yet commented on the latest developments, but given Brown’s history with the league and the serious nature of the charges, further statements may be forthcoming.
As the legal process unfolds, Antonio Brown faces the prospect of a criminal trial that could bring his volatile post-NFL journey into even sharper focus. For now, he remains at large, with authorities urging him to turn himself in to face the charges.
