Jets receiver Josh Reynolds targeted in 2024 shooting in mistaken-identity case

Josh Reynolds, the Jets wide receiver who previously played for the Broncos, was shot last October in a Denver-area incident prosecutors described as a mistaken-identity attack tied to a separate cocaine-scam case. Reynolds was struck twice, once in the back of the head and once in the left leg, after four vehicles followed him from a strip club and opened fire in what investigators described as a calculated and coordinated assassination attempt.

Four vehicles trailed Reynolds from the club and fired as he left the area. Reynolds’ friend was shot in the back, and another was struck when glass shattered around him during the attack. Reynolds, who was then with the Broncos, sustained injuries that required medical treatment but ultimately did not end his career. The incident prompted a major law-enforcement response and raised questions about the reach of criminal activity targeting high-profile athletes.

According to court filings obtained by the Denver Post, seven adults have been arrested on attempted murder charges, along with a juvenile, and an eighth adult remains at large. Burr Charlesworth pleaded guilty to felony assault and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Prosecutors described the investigation as identifying a planned operation to locate the scammers and retaliate, though they have not disclosed who Reynolds was mistaken for or what specific identity caused the confusion.

Reynolds, 30, signed a one-year deal worth up to $5 million with the Jets this spring after he was released by the Jaguars in March. He has rarely spoken publicly about the shooting but said at a June practice that he has moved past it and is focused on the present and the upcoming season. The Jets have welcomed his return to football, with teammates noting his determination to proceed with his career after the frightening incident.

The Denver Post report adds to a broader number of cases in which professional athletes have found themselves entangled in criminal investigations far from the field. Prosecutors have described the October shooting as a calculated attempt to target the scammers, not a random confrontation, and the investigation remains active as authorities pursue the remaining suspect and examine additional evidence.

As Reynolds resumes daily routines with the Jets, the episode serves as a reminder of the potential dangers public figures face off the field. Officials said the case continues to unfold as more details become available, and investigators stress that the motive and exact circumstances behind the mistaken identity are still under review.