Former NFL star Antonio Brown is seeking to have his attempted murder charge from a Miami shooting dismissed under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, court records show.
Attorneys for Brown on Thursday filed a motion to dismiss his case in Miami-Dade, saying the shooting was legally justified under the 2005 law.
Brown, 37, has pleaded not guilty to the second-degree attempted murder charge, which carries a potential 15-year prison sentence and a fine up to $10,000 if he is convicted.
Advertisement
Miami-Dade Corrections
Miami-Dade Corrections
Antonio Brown
According to an arrest warrant, Brown is accused of grabbing a handgun from a security staffer after a celebrity boxing match in Miami on May 16 and firing two shots at a man he had gotten into a fistfight with earlier.
The victim alleged, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, told investigators that one of the bullets grazed his neck.
Advertisement
Brown’s attorney said that the affidavit is mistaken and that Brown actually used his personal firearm, and that the shots were not aimed at anyone.
The motion filed Thursday said Nantambu is a convicted felon and mentions his arrest in February after police said he disrupted Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show by waving a Sudanese flag bearing the message “Sudan and Free Gaza.”
Nantambu also allegedly attacked Brown backstage at a 2023 Rolling Loud music festival concert, and was allegedly jailed in Dubai in 2022 for stealing Brown’s jewelry, the motion said.
The motion also claimed Nantambu had publicly issued threats at Brown including stating “your days are numbered.”
The motion claims Nantambu knew Brown was at the boxing event because Brown had been livestreaming, and said Nantambu waited outside the event for an opportunity to confront Brown.
Advertisement
As Brown exited, he spotted Nantambu quickly approaching him and saw him “tucking his chain inside his shirt,” the motion said.
He attacked Brown, who suffered injuries to his eye, knee and hands as others joined in the assault and Brown became in fear for his life, the motion said.
“Fearing additional violence and believing he may encounter Nantambu again while attempting to reach his vehicle, Brown retrieved his concealed firearm, for which he lawfully possessed a permit,” the motion said.
Brown ran to his car but again encountered Nantambu, who he fear was armed and “made an aggressive movement towards him,” the motion said.
“In that moment, Brown again reasonably feared death or great bodily harm. In response, he fired two warning shots, intentionally aiming away from Nantambu to ensure he would not be struck,” the motion said. “Brown hoped the warning shots would deter Nantambu’s aggression, allowing Brown to safely reach his vehicle and leave the scene.”
Advertisement
The motion claimed there was a struggle and Nantambu took Brown’s gun then fled the scene with the weapon, while Brown stayed at the scene and complied with law enforcement.
Brown was not immediately arrested that night because initially police did not identify Nantambu as a victim. It wasn’t until May 21 that Nantambu gave a full statement about the incident to police and identified Brown as the shooter, the affidavit says.
“Cellphone video obtained from social media showed Mr. Brown with the firearm in his hand advancing toward Mr. Nantambu on the outside walk. The video captures two shots which occur as Mr. Brown is within several feet of Mr. Nantambu,” the arrest affidavit said. “The video also captures Mr. Nantambu ducking after the first shot is heard.”
In video posted on Only in Dade, Brown was seen an altercation with several individuals. At one point, he was seen running and a gunshot was heard.
Brown has said on social media that he was defending himself from an attack and that others were trying to steal jewelry from him.
Advertisement
The motion said Brown’s use of force was “fully justified” under ‘Stand Your Ground.”
“Brown reasonably believed that the alleged victim intended to cause him serious harm. Moments earlier, he had been physically attacked by an attention-seeking convicted fraudster with a documented history of violence toward Brown, as well as toward others, including law enforcement. Even the sight of Brown’s firearm did not deter the alleged victim’s aggression,” the motion reads. “Nantambu remained intent on harming him. Under these circumstances, Brown had every legal right to defend himself.”
Brown was extradited last month from Dubai, where he has business interests, after an arrest warrant on the attempted murder charge was issued in June.
He was released on a $25,000 bond and must wear an ankle monitor.
A prosecutor said Brown could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Advertisement
Brown spent 12 years in the NFL and was an All-Pro wide receiver who last played in 2021 for Tampa Bay, including a Super Bowl championship with quarterback Tom Brady. He spent much of his career with Pittsburgh. For his career, Brown had 928 receptions for more than 12,000 yards and accounted for 88 total touchdowns, counting punt returns and one pass.
Two suspects accused in an overnight shooting in Southwest Miami-Dade remain on the loose, deputies said.
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the shooting happened on Saturday night in the area of Southwest 143rd Avenue and Southwest 260th Street.
Deputies said that a man was shot as he was trying to get away from two people who tried to rob him.
The man was taken to Baptist Hospital by a friend, but was then airlifted to Jackson South Medical Center in stable condition.
Advertisement
An investigation into the shooting remains active.
SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) – Police seek the public’s help in their search for an elderly man who was reported missing from Southwest Miami-Dade.
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, Fausto De La Fuente was last seen in the 11800 block of Southwest 173rd Street on Saturday afternoon.
De La Fuente stands 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 190 pounds, and has brown eyes and brown and gray hair. He was last seen wearing a gray shirt and beige shorts at the time of his disappearance.
Investigators said De La Fuente meets the criteria for a missing endangered adult.
Advertisement
Officials urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to contactDeputy O. Tellez, at 305-715-3300 (Office), 305-715-3252 (Desk), email u304578@mdso.com or Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477)
Copyright 2026 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox
GAINESVILLE, Fla.– The Florida Gators, fresh off an 8-7 win over Rider on Friday, host Miami in the winners’ bracket of the Gainesville Region. Winner advances to Sunday with a chance to clinch a Super Regional appearance, while the loser faces Troy in an elimination game beforehand.
Advertisement
Florida Gators on SI is in attendance for Saturday’s game between the Gators and the Hurricanes. Here are live updates from Condron Ballpark. First pitch is set for 8:30 p.m., with television coverage on ACC Network.
Lineups
Advertisement
Florida
CF Kyle Jones
SS Brendan Lawson
LF Blake Cyr
3B Ethan Surowiec
DH Caden McDonald
C Karson Bowen
1B Landon Stripling
2B Cade Kurland
RF Hayden Yost
P Aidan King (8-2, 2.68 ERA)
Miami
2B Jake Ogden
LF Max Galvin
RF Derek Williams
1B Alex Sosa
C Alonzo Alvarez
DH Dylan Dubovik
3B Gabirel Milano
SS Vance Sheahan
CF Fabio Peralta
P AJ Ciscar (5-4, 4.44 ERA)
First Inning
T1: Miami Batting
Jake Ogden hits a leadoff home run off of Aidan King. Miami 1, Florida 0.
Max Galvin hits a double to left field, called safe at second. Ruled safe after Florida challenged.
Derek Williams hit by a pitch. Miami’s first three runners have all reached base. Kevin O’Sullivan out for a mound visit with King.
Alex Sosa pops out to third. 1 Out.
Alonzo Alvarez grounds into a 6-4-3 double play. End of frame.
Miami 1, Florida 0
B1: Florida Batting
Kyle Jones hit by a pitch.
Brendan Lawson records a base hit. Jones advances to third.
Blake Cyr reaches second on a throwing error at first (E6), Jones scores, Lawson to third. Florida 1, Miami 1