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topicnews · August 26, 2024

Brian Battie released from hospital 3 months after fatal shooting in Sarasota

Brian Battie released from hospital 3 months after fatal shooting in Sarasota

SARASOTA, Florida. – Former USF football player and Auburn running back Brian Battie is one step closer to his goal of attending football games this fall.

Battie’s family said he returned home after spending more than three months in the hospital in May after being struck by gunfire outside a Sarasota hookah lounge.

According to a family post on GoFundMe, Battie will continue his recovery in outpatient rehab at Sarasota Memorial Hospital for the next six to nine months.

Brian Battie taken off ventilator after shooting

Weeks after Auburn football player Brian Battie was critically injured in a shooting in Sarasota County that also left his brother dead, the player’s family says he is making progress in what will be a long recovery.

The family also said Battie will soon have to undergo surgery to replace the valve in his left skull bone, which was removed to allow his brain to swell without causing further life-threatening complications.

READ: Brian Battie shot: Desperate 911 callers paint chaotic picture of deadly shooting in Sarasota

According to his family, the surgery will require a night in intensive care, followed by one to two weeks of intensive rehab.

Brian Battie was critically injured when shots were fired at the Tallywood Centre Plaza in the 3400 block of 17th Street at approximately 3:30 a.m. on May 18.

South Florida Bulls running back Brian Battie (21) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of the college football game between the South Florida Bulls and the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas on October 29, 2022.

Three other people were injured in the shooting and Brian Battie’s brother, 24-year-old Tommie, was killed.

Darryl Bernard Brookins was arrested after the shooting and charged with murder and illegal possession of a firearm. According to an affidavit, video footage shows Brookins walking toward Brian and Tommie Battie, then immediately pulling out a gun and shooting the brothers.

911 emergency calls released after shooting of Brian Battie

911 callers paint a desperate picture shortly after former USF player Brian Battie was injured in a shooting in Sarasota that also left his brother dead.

According to the affidavit, both Battie brothers returned fire. At this point, the video shows the Battie brothers falling to the ground.

Battie attended Sarasota High School and Braden River High School, where he played running back on both football teams.

He then began his college football career at the University of South Florida. Last season, he transferred to Auburn, where he was named the best kick returner.

The Battie family stated, “We are forever grateful for the outstanding care and love our family received from the amazing team of medical professionals at Sarasota Memorial.”

In the GoFundMe post, Battie’s family said he plans to attend some Auburn and USF football games this fall.

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