Suspect arrested in shooting that injured Auburn football's Brian Battie, killed brother
AUBURN — The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect in connection to the shooting that injured Auburn football running back Brian Battie and killed Brian's older brother, Tommie Battie IV.
"Darryl Bernard Brookins was arrested Wednesday afternoon by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Task Force," the sheriff's office said in a release Wednesday afternoon. "Brookins has been identified as the suspect in the shooting that occurred in the Tallywood Centre Plaza parking lot on 17th Street in Sarasota early in the morning of Saturday, May 18."
Brookins, 28, is facing three charges: Murder, attempted murder and as a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the sheriff's office. A motive for the shooting, which injured three others, has yet to be released.
Doug Fernades, a sports columnist for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, reported Sunday that after undergoing surgery Saturday night, Brian Battie was able to "open his eyes and move his hands."
Auburn coach Hugh Freeze gave a brief update about Battie via social media Monday: "Auburn family. Please continue to pray for Brian Battie," Freeze wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "There was a set back last night and he’s still on a ventilator. #AUSTRONG"
A GoFundMe has been set up to support the Battie family with the goal of reaching $100,000. As of Wednesday afternoon, the fundraiser is up to $94,991.
Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rich_silva18.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Brian Battie: Suspect arrested in shooting that injured Auburn RB
