UPDATED AT 4:39 P.M. EDT ON MAY 24, 2024
A suspect has been arrested in a shooting that killed Tommie L. Battie IV and injured Brian Battie in Sarasota on Saturday.
According to the Sarasota County Sherrif’s Office, Darryl Bernard Brookins of Sarasota “has been identified as the suspect in the shooting that occurred in the Tallywood Centre Plaza parking lot on 17th Street in Sarasota” and was arrested Wednesday afternoon. Brookins “has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and as a felon in possession of a firearm.”
Brian Battie in addition to three other men were injured in the shooting, according to The Associated Press.
UPDATED AT 10:18 P.M. EDT ON MAY 20, 2024
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze posted Monday on social media an update about Brian Battie, who is a senior running back and was injured in a shooting Saturday morning in Sarasota, Florida, stating, “Auburn family. Please continue to pray for Brian Battie. There was a set back last night and he’s still on a ventilator. #AUSTRONG”
According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Saturday morning “deputies initially responded to the Tallywood Centre Plaza at approximately 3:30am where they observed a large crowd with multiple shooting victims in the parking lot.” Brian Battie’s brother Tommie L. Battie IV was pronounced deceased at the scene and “four additional victims were transported to local hospitals in both Manatee and Sarasota counties.”
A GoFundMe page was organized by Kelli Raines and Tanya Babinski, who state they are the godmothers of Brian Battie and Tommie L. Battie IV. Over $73,000 has been raised as of Monday.
According to Ainslie Lee of AL.com, an Auburn spokesperson confirmed Brian Battie was among the victims in the shooting. Auburn is “aware of the situation” and “continuing to gather information.”
The shooting appears to be an isolated incident, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. It remains an active criminal investigation.
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Anyone who may have information related to the shooting is encouraged by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office “to contact the SCSO Criminal Investigations Section at 941-861-4900 or Sarasota Crimestoppers at 941-366-8477.”
Brian Battie joined Auburn before last season. He played at South Florida from 2020-22 earning Second Team All-American Athletic Conference and becoming the sixth 1,000-yard rusher in Bulls history in 2022.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as it is available.
