Auburn running back Brian Battie is on a ventilator following a weekend shooting in Florida that also killed his brother.
Coach Hugh Freeze provided an update on the health status of running back Battie, who was hospitalized in critical condition.
“Auburn family. Please continue to pray for Brian Battie. There was a set back last night and he’s still on a ventilator,” Freeze tweeted on Monday, adding the #AUSTRONG hashtag.
Battie’s brother, Tommie Battie IV, died in the shooting, which occurred in Sarasota early Saturday morning.
Battie IV was 24 years old.
Four additional victims were taken to the hospital, a Sarasota official told the Tampa Bay Times.
Details on a suspect and motive for the shooting have not been announced.
Brian Battie played for three seasons at South Florida — getting named an All-American kick returner in 2021 and rushing for over 1,000 yards in 2022 — before transferring to Auburn prior to last season.
A GoFundMe that was launched to support the Battie family in the wake of the tragedy has raised about $64,000 out of its $100,000 goal as of late Monday afternoon.
“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 had the pleasure of knowing him,” the fundraiser said.
“We ask that you continue to pray for Brian to make a full recovery to return home with his loving family. With all of the emotional pain and stress that tragedy brings, it also brings financial burdens. We would like to raise money for the Battie family to help with unforeseen funeral expenses and medical bills. The family is understandably shocked by this loss and not prepared for all that is happening at this time.”
