Former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown has been successfully extradited to the United States from the United Arab Emirates to face an attempted murder charge stemming from a May shooting incident in Miami, authorities confirmed Thursday.
Brown, 37, who had been in Dubai since a warrant for his arrest was issued in June, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals upon his arrival at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, according to Miami Police Department spokesperson Mike Vega.
Vega confirmed the apprehension, stating, “Miami Police confirm that U.S. Marshals have apprehended Antonio Brown and that he has been extradited to the U.S.” He added that a date for Brown’s transfer to Miami-Dade County has not yet been set.
The Extradition Process
Brown’s return ends months of speculation and high-profile social media posts by the former All-Pro player, who often flaunted his presence in Dubai while a warrant for his arrest on a felony charge of attempted second-degree murder with a deadly weapon remained active in Florida.
The complex process to bring Brown back involved cooperation between the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and federal agencies. While Miami Police initially indicated they would not send officers to the Middle East to retrieve him, they worked with federal partners to ensure the arrest warrant was executed once Brown was in U.S. jurisdiction. Extradition from Dubai is governed by a treaty between the U.S. and the U.A.E., which provides a formal framework for returning fugitives.
The former wide receiver is accused of firing a handgun at a man identified as Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu outside a celebrity boxing event in Miami on May 16. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Charges Stem From May Incident
According to the arrest warrant, the incident began with an altercation involving Brown and Nantambu. Detectives obtained video footage showing Brown punching Nantambu, taking a gun from a security guard, and then running toward the man before firing two shots. The alleged victim later told investigators one of the bullets had grazed his neck.
Antonio Brown, my favorite account on X, just been extradited from Dubai for attempted murder in Dade County following this footage from earlier this year. FREE AB pic.twitter.com/idDPmqYKsD
— Riggs (@AndreHolliday_) November 6, 2025
Brown was briefly detained the night of the incident but was released after police said they failed to locate a victim at the scene. He later left the country. The subsequent investigation led to the arrest warrant being signed by a Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge in June.
Brown maintained his innocence on social media, claiming he was “jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal my jewelry.” He now awaits transfer to Florida, where he will be formally processed and begin to address the charge.
Handed over the keys to the socials and CTESPN to my team while I go through this fight for my innocence
Happy to showcase love & entertainment
All love & respect to everyone for the support#FREEAB
— AB (@AB84) November 6, 2025
