Former Panthers Defensive End Amare Barno Entangled in Shocking Domestic Violence Scandal in Charlotte
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Former Panthers Defensive End Amare Barno Entangled in Shocking Domestic Violence Scandal in Charlotte
Former Panthers Edge Rusher Amare Barno Behind Bars on Aggravated Assault Charges
A former Carolina Panthers pass rusher is now embroiled in a harrowing legal nightmare this week, stemming from a disturbing alleged domestic violence episode that has rocked the NFL community.
Court documents reveal that Amare Barno—who donned the Panthers uniform from 2022 through 2024—was hauled into custody in the dead of night on Wednesday, following grave accusations of a brutal physical assault on his ex-girlfriend. The filings paint a chilling picture: Barno allegedly charged aggressively at the woman, slamming her violently into a vehicle and shoving her again with forceful intensity even as she struggled to stay upright.
The nightmare unfolded amid a heated confrontation over the woman's personal belongings, which she was attempting to retrieve from Barno's residence. In a further act of aggression, he is accused of callously emptying the contents of her purse, escalating the chaos.
Though the terrifying ordeal took place on September 17, Barno evaded immediate arrest until September 24, intensifying the victim's ordeal. He faced a judge the very next morning, where he was assigned a public defender and slapped with a $5,000 bond amid the grim proceedings. In a stern measure to protect the alleged victim, the court imposed a strict no-contact order, barring Barno from any interaction upon his release.
At 26 years old, Barno—a once-promising sixth-round draft pick by the Panthers out of Virginia Tech in the 2022 NFL Draft—was celebrated for his explosive edge speed and special teams prowess. Over three tumultuous seasons in Carolina, he logged appearances in 29 games, amassing a modest three career sacks amid high expectations.
Barno clung to the roster through OTAs and the initial grueling phases of 2025 training camp but was unceremoniously cut on July 25, casting him into free-agent limbo. Desperate bids for redemption included workouts with the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns, yet both teams turned him away, leaving his future hanging by a thread.
This explosive scandal erupts at a pivotal, potentially career-shattering moment for Barno, who was already battling to claw his way back onto an NFL squad. With his professional prospects teetering on the brink, this grave legal entanglement threatens to deliver a fatal blow to his aspirations, underscoring the devastating fallout of such allegations in the league.