Former NFL Player Charged With Attempted Murder Told Police Russian Mafia Is After Him

Defensive end Justin Bannan #97 of the Denver Broncos stands on the sideline during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium, in Glendale, Ariz., on Dec. 12, 2010. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

A former NFL player has been charged with first-degree attempted murder after police said he shot a woman in Colorado this week.

Justin Bannan, 40, was a fifth-round draft pick for the Buffalo Bills in 2002 and played for five teams, including the Denver Broncos, until he retired in 2013.

Bannan was arrested on Oct. 16 in Boulder after police arrived at Black Lab Sports to investigate a reported shooting. According to Bannan’s LinkedIn, he’s the co-founder of the company.

The female victim works as an acupuncturist in the building. She works for Element 6, a separate company in the building, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by the Boulder Daily Camera.

The woman was unlocking her room in the building when Bannan, who was inside the room, shot her in the shoulder.

Bannan was found by police officers with a bag with two loaded guns inside, an extra magazine, and a $20 bill that tested positive for cocaine.

Banned told officers he “didn’t mean to shoot her.”

Bannan was “sweating profusely” and “making statements about the Russian Mafia being after him,” according to the affidavit, reported ABC 7. He also made said the woman “did not deserve that,” and that “she was a good person.”

Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Justin Bannan on the sideline during a 2005 game. Mark Konezny/NFLPhotoLibrary

He allegedly told the woman after shooting her: “I’m sorry, the Russian Mafia is after me.”

During the drive to the police station, Bannan said he ditched his cell phone because someone was using it to track him and claimed to have hydrocephalus.

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, hydrocephalus “is a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up within the ventricles (fluid-containing cavities) of the brain and may increase pressure within the head.”

“Although hydrocephalus is often described as ‘water on the brain,’ the ‘water’ is actually CSF, a clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. CSF has three crucial functions: 1) it acts as a ’shock absorber' for the brain and spinal cord; 2) it acts as a vehicle for delivering nutrients to the brain and removing waste; and 3) it flows between the cranium and spine to regulate changes in pressure within the brain,” it added.

Bannan appeared in court on Thursday. Prosecutor Mark Grimaldi, the Boulder County deputy district attorney, said the judge shouldn’t lower the $500,000 bond set in the warrant.

“It’s pretty clear why Mr. Bannan presents a risk to the community,” Grimaldi said, reported the Daily Camera.

Bannan’s attorney, David Moorhead, however, said the bond should be lowered, arguing his client wasn’t a flight risk.

Boulder County Judge Kristy Martinez opted not to lower the bond, saying the facts of the case suggested “significant concerns about the safety of the community.”

Bann’s next hearing is slated for Oct. 22.