Auburn University Football Player Critically Wounded In Florida Shooting

Auburn Tigers running back Brian Battie suffered critical injuries in a shooting that resulted in the death of his brother on Saturday morning.

The incident, which took place in a parking lot at Tallywood Centre Plaza in Sarasota, Florida, left Brian and Tommie Battie, along with three others, wounded by gunfire. At the scene, attended by first responders, a crowd had gathered around the multiple victims of the shooting.

Tommie Battie, aged 24, was tragically declared dead at the scene, while Brian Battie, aged 22, was rushed to the hospital and is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.

According to a post on a social media platform, made by Brian Stultz, a staff writer for Auburn Sports, Brian Battie has shown movement in his hands, but medical professionals are still evaluating his brain function.

A representative from Auburn informed AL.com, a news outlet in Alabama, that the university is aware of the shooting, stating, “We are cognizant of the situation and are actively seeking more details.”

Before joining Auburn University for the 2023 season, Brian Battie spent three years at the University of South Florida.

During his time as an Auburn running back, he gained 227 total yards from 51 rushes, but he particularly excelled as a return specialist, accumulating 645 total yards from 29 kickoff returns.

Brody Wiseman, who coached Brian Battie during his senior year at Sarasota High School, expressed to the Herald-Tribune that he considered Brian to be “the most talented player I’ve ever coached.”