Antonio Brown is back in Miami to face attempted murder charge. He pleaded not guilty

Former NFL star Antonio Brown on Tuesday returned to Miami, as he now sits behind the bars of the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, after spending months on the lam in the Middle East to evade an attempted murder case in May.

Brown was extradited to Miami from Essex County, New Jersey, where law enforcement took him Thursday after apprehending him in Dubai.

Mark Eiglarsh, his attorney, told the Miami Herald that he filed a written plea of not guilty to the attempted murder charge. Brown is set to appear in Miami court for a bail hearing at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

“The actions he was forced to take were solely in self-defense against the alleged victim’s violent behavior. Brown was attacked that night and acted within his legal right to protect himself,” Eiglarsh said in a press release.

READ MORE: Where’s Antonio Brown? Facing attempted murder, wanted NFL star left the country

On May 16, Brown got into a dispute at a boxing event hosted by influencer Adin Ross. The former All-Pro wide receiver said on X he was jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal my jewelry and cause physical harm to me.” Video posted to social media showed Brown appearing to hold a gun and running out of frame. Seconds later, gunshots were heard.

Brown allegedly punched Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, a 41-year-old, during the scuffle before the shooting. An off-duty lieutenant with the Florida Highway Patrol broke up the fight.

Brown, the warrant says, was detained and searched. No firearm was found on him, although police found two spent shell casings and a damaged right-handed holster outside the venue. He was released because the man shot, later identified as Nantambu, was no longer at the venue.

READ MORE: A month after Miami arrest warrant, Antonio Brown is still in Dubai. Police won’t talk

When the warrant was issued for the Miami native’s arrest in June, he had an attorney who secured him a $10,000 bond, including house arrest. But as months went by, Brown never turned himself in — and police would not divulge whether they planned on extraditing him.

Miami Herald staff writer Grethel Aguila contributed to this report.