Antonio Brown Seeks Dismissal of Attempted Murder Charge Under "Stand Your Ground" Law

Former NFL star Antonio Brown has filed a motion to dismiss a second-degree attempted murder charge against him, citing Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law. The motion was submitted on Monday and shared with ESPN by his attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, on Saturday. The charge stems from an incident involving gunfire outside an amateur boxing match in Miami on May 16, 2025. Brown, 37, was extradited to the U.S. after spending nearly six months in Dubai and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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According to the motion, Brown asserts that his use of force was justified, claiming he reasonably believed that the alleged victim, Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, intended to cause him serious harm. Brown's defense argues that he was attempting to reach his car for safety after being attacked by Nantambu. However, police reports indicate that Brown punched Nantambu and continued the assault before allegedly chasing him down and firing shots at close range. Security footage reportedly shows Brown with a gun and two gunshots were heard during the altercation.

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The motion references Florida's 2005 law, which allows individuals to use deadly force without the duty to retreat in certain circumstances. Brown's legal team contends that he acted out of a reasonable fear for his life, citing Nantambu's alleged aggressive movements and a history of violence between the two, including an incident in Dubai where Nantambu was jailed for jewelry theft. The motion claims that Brown fired two "warning shots" intentionally aimed away from Nantambu.

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Richard L. Cooper, attorney for Nantambu, has criticized Brown's defense as a "farcical reimagining" of the events. He argues that Brown's intention was to kill Nantambu, stating, "By the grace of God, he was not killed." Cooper also suggested that Brown believed he could evade legal consequences by remaining in Dubai and flaunting his presence on social media.

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Brown's motion acknowledges his role as the shooter but emphasizes his belief that Nantambu was armed and posed a significant threat. Following his return to Miami, Brown was released on $25,000 bail and placed under house arrest with a GPS ankle monitor. He faces a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

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While Brown's defense claims he acted in self-defense, police accounts describe a different sequence of events, including Brown's initial aggression. The discrepancies between the defense's narrative and the prosecution's evidence highlight the complexities of the case, which will likely unfold in upcoming hearings.

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The case is set to proceed with further hearings, where both sides will present their arguments and evidence. The outcome will hinge on interpretations of the "Stand Your Ground" law and the specifics of the incident as captured by security footage and witness accounts.

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