A suspect has been arrested in a shooting that severely wounded Auburn running back Brian Battie and killed his brother, Tommie Battie IV, in Florida over the weekend.
Sarasota police announced that Darryl Bernard Brookins, 28, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with murder, attempted murder and as a felon in possession of a firearm.
Police responded to a shooting at Tallywood Centre Plaza early Saturday morning.
Battie IV died at the scene while four others, including his younger brother, were transported to hospitals, police said.
A motive for the shooting has not been announced.
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze provided a medical update on Brian Battie, who had been hospitalized in critical condition, earlier this week.
“Auburn family. Please continue to pray for Brian Battie. There was a set back last night and he’s still on a ventilator,” Freeze wrote on X on Monday, with an accompanying #AUSTRONG hashtag.
Battie transferred to Auburn before last season after playing for three years at South Florida, including 2022 where he rushed for over 1,000 yards, and 2021 where he was named an All-American as a kick returner.
A GoFundMe to benefit the Battie family has raised more than $95,000 towards its $100,000 goal as of Wednesday 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.”
