An arrest has been made in connection with a shooting incident in Sarasota, which resulted in Auburn running back Brian Battie sustaining critical injuries and the tragic loss of his older brother, Tommie Battie IV.
Darryl Bernard Brookins, 27, of Sarasota, was apprehended on Wednesday by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Task Force, as detailed in a press release issued by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
Brookins was identified as the suspect in the shooting, which occurred near the Tallywood Centre Place in the 3400 block of 17th street in Sarasota, Florida, during the early hours of Saturday morning.
He faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm by a felon, and is slated to be booked into the Sarasota County Correctional Facility.
According to the initial statement from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene around 3:30 a.m., finding a large crowd with multiple gunshot victims in the parking lot. Among the injured was Brian Battie, whom Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze mentioned was on a ventilator in a post on X, a social media platform previously known as Twitter, on Monday.
Tommie Battie IV, Brian Battie’s older brother, aged 24, was pronounced dead at the scene, confirmed Sarasota Director of Community Affairs Evan Keats to AL.com on Saturday.
A GoFundMe campaign was initiated on Sunday to offer support to the Battie family during this trying time. Organizers stated their intention to raise funds to assist with unexpected funeral expenses and medical bills, recognizing the emotional and financial strain the tragedy has imposed on the family.
