Justin Bannan Pleads Not Guilty In Attempted Murder Case

BOULDER, CO — Former Broncos and University of Colorado lineman Justin Bannan pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity Thursday in a 2019 shooting case that left a woman wounded in Boulder.

The 36-year-old woman was shot in the arm Oct. 16, 2019 at Black Lab Sports, near 3550 Frontier Ave., police said. She was taken to Boulder Community Health in stable condition.

Bannan, 41, and the woman worked in the building and were acquaintances, but the shooting was described as "random," police said. She's launched a lawsuit against Bannan for civil damages.

The former lineman is charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault with extreme indifference, first-degree assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury and first-degree burglary.

Preliminary tests show Bannan had cocaine on him, according to an affidavit. He reportedly was sweating profusely and saying the Russian Mafia was after him.

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Bannan played at CU Boulder from 1997 to 2001 before he was chosen in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. After playing for the Bills and the Baltimore Ravens, he played for the Broncos from 2010 to 2012 before his retirement in 2013.