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Ex-NFL DL Bannan arrested on attempted murder charge

This is a 2011 photo of Justin Bannan of the St. Louis Rams NFL football team. This image reflects the St. Louis Rams active roster as of Sunday, July 31, 2011 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Former NFL defensive lineman Justin Bannan faces attempted murder and assault charges following the shooting of a woman in Boulder, Colo.

Bannan, 40, was arrested Wednesday and remained in custody Thursday awaiting a bond hearing.

Bannan played 12 seasons in the NFL (2002-13) with the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, St. Louis Rams and Detroit Lions.

He is charged with suspicion of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault with extreme indifference, first-degree assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury and first-degree burglary, according to Boulder police.

Authorities say Bannan shot a 36-year-old woman in the arm with a handgun at Black Lab Sports, a venture capital firm. She was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

A police spokeswoman told reporters the shooting appeared to be "random." Bannan and the woman apparently worked in the same building.

Bannan was arrested at the scene carrying a bag containing two loaded handguns and an extra magazine.

"Bannan told police he did not mean to shoot the woman, and that he was hiding because the Russian Mafia was after him and tracking his cellphone," according to the Boulder Daily Camera.

Buffalo's fifth-round pick in 2002 out of Colorado, Bannan appeared in 163 games (72 starts) and tallied 311 tackles, 6.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.

--Field Level Media