Authorities in Florida have apprehended a suspect in connection with a tragic shooting incident that resulted in the injury of Auburn running back Brian Battie and the death of his brother, Tommie L. Battie IV. The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office disclosed that Darryl Bernard Brookins, 28, has been arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm following the shooting that occurred over the weekend. The incident, which left four individuals injured and one fatality, took place in the early hours of May 18 at the Tallywood Centre Plaza parking lot.
Upon arrival at the scene, law enforcement officers discovered Tommie Battie deceased, while his brother Brian Battie was among those wounded and subsequently transported to a medical facility. Auburn coach Hugh Freeze took to social media to request continued prayers for Brian Battie, who remains on a ventilator after a recent setback.
During a court appearance, Brookins' attorney asserted that his client had acted in self-defense. The report indicates that Brian Battie sustained a gunshot wound to the head, while Tommie Battie suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest. Battie, who previously played three seasons at South Florida before transferring to Auburn, recorded 227 rushing yards and a touchdown last season, ranking fourth in the Southeastern Conference in kick return average.
