Auburn Tigers football player Brian Battie could potentially face “permanent paralysis” after being injured in the shooting that also resulted in his brother’s death, according to court documents obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.
Battie was critically injured during the May 18 shooting that claimed the life of his 24-year-old brother, Tommie. He was hospitalized and remains in critical condition.
“He’s getting better,” said Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze at the SEC spring meetings. “To honor the family, I don’t want to go into too many things, but they appreciate all the prayers, for sure.”
Freeze added, “It’s been a difficult time for the whole family, but he seems to be getting better each day.”
Freeze had asked for prayers following the shooting and mentioned that Battie might have experienced a setback in his recovery and remained on a ventilator.
The suspect, Darryl Brookins, turned himself in to Sarasota County, Florida authorities and has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm as a felon.
Brookins’ attorney claims that his client acted in self-defense.
Last year, Battie served as Auburn’s primary kick return specialist and also took secondary snaps at the running back position. He ranked fifth in the SEC with an average of 23 yards per return and posted 49 yards per kick return on special teams.
Prior to joining Auburn, Battie spent three seasons at USF, where he was named a consensus All-American in 2021 and earned second-team All-AAC honors the following year after rushing for 1,186 yards and eight touchdowns.
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