A man suspected of shooting Auburn running back Brian Battie and killing his brother, Tommie Battie IV, in Florida was arrested Wednesday.
Brian, a 22-year-old college football star, was shot in the early hours of Saturday morning in a Sarasota parking lot. His 24-year-old brother was pronounced dead at the scene.
Darryl Brookins, 28, was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
Sarasota officers initially responded to a reported shooting in the plaza at approximately 3:30 a.m. Saturday, where they found Tommie dead.
Brian and three other people were injured in the crossfire and transported to hospitals in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Auburn Tigers running back Brian Battie in critical condition after shooting in Florida
Darryl Brookins, 28, was arrested and charged with murder in connection with the Florida shooting.
Deputies responding to the incident “observed a large crowd with multiple gunshot victims in the parking lot,” according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
Authorities said the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident, although they did not reveal what instigated the violence.
As of Monday, Brian was still in critical condition after being injured during the incident in which Auburn Tigers coach Hugh Freeze asked fans to “pray.”
‘Chestnut family. Please continue to pray for Brian Battie. There was a setback last night and he is still on a ventilator,” Freeze wrote in X Monday.
the description of a GoFundMe page The Battie Family Benefit organization sadly confirmed Tony’s passing.
‘On May 18, 2024, the Battie family received the most devastating news that Tommie and Brian were victims of a senseless shooting,’ the message began.
‘It is with great sadness and great regret that we have to share the unexpected passing of Tommie Battie IV (Pooh). Brian Battie remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
The caption also urged fans to pray for the 22-year-old athlete’s “full recovery.”
He was taken to a local hospital after the shooting in which his older brother died.
“There was a setback last night and he’s still on a ventilator,” Freeze wrote on X Monday.
“We know you will continue to fight and overcome this, just as you have overcome so many other obstacles in your life,” the message said.
‘Losing a child so unexpectedly is something unimaginable and something that will never be healed. The family will never be the same without Pooh, and neither will anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing him.’
Brian ran for 1,842 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in three seasons playing at South Florida.
He transferred to Auburn for the 2023 season and rushed 51 times for 227 yards and a touchdown.
