Auburn RB Brian Battie discharged and walks out of hospital following May 18th shooting that took the life of his brother. : r/CFB

 

After three months of treatment and recovery, Auburn running back Brian Battie was released from Sarasota Memorial Hospital this week, according to a Facebook update from his mother, Adrienne.

Battie was shot in his hometown of Sarasota, Florida, in May, and had been hospitalized since. In late June, he was discharged from the ICU and cleared to eat solid food. Last month, according to his family’s GoFundMe page, Battie was able to walk using a cane — after his initial prognosis via court documents was “permanent paralysis.”

“Giving All Glory to God Today!” wrote Adrienne Battie, via the Auburn Tigers Fan HQ Facebook page. “Today was a special day that we will never forget. With hearts full of gratitude and praise, we watched Brian walk out of the hospital after suffering a gunshot wound to the head. Words can’t express the joy and thankfulness we feel right now. We have witnessed a miracle, and we know it’s because of God’s grace, mercy, and the power of prayer. We have spent every day praying for God’s healing and we claimed it knowing Brian would walk out of the hospital and today he DID!

“Throughout these challenging months, we have seen God’s hand at work in so many ways – from the incredible doctors and nurses who cared for him, to the love and support of our family and friends to the strength Brian has shown every single day.

“We are in awe of His goodness and the miraculous recovery that has unfolded before our eyes. Thank you to EVERYONE who has been praying with us, standing with us, and believing with us. Today, we celebrate a miracle and give all the glory to God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

On May 18, Battie, a former USF transfer, was one of five victims of a shooting at an outdoor shopping center in Sarasota. His brother, 24-year-old Tommie Battie IV, was pronounced dead that day. The Tampa Bay Times reported Brian was shot in the head.

Darryl Brookins, 28, was arrested by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, and is being charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm as a felon.

Auburn's Brian Battie recently took his first steps since May shooting, family says - al.com

According to the Tampa Bay Times, which received a copy of the arrest affidavit, security footage shows Brian and Tommie approached Brookins shortly after 3 a.m. Brookins pulled a gun and began firing, and the Battie brothers fired back before both being shot.

Brookins’ attorney said he will plead self-defense. The affidavit from the Sarasota police department said, via security footage, that Brookins “immediately” fired at the Battie brothers when approached.

Brian played his first three college seasons at South Florida, where he amassed 1,841 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He was a consensus All-American kick returner in 2021, when he led the nation at 32.5 yards per return, and housed three kicks for touchdowns.

Brian transferred to Auburn last January. In his lone season as a Tiger, he rushed for 227 yards and a touchdown, and returned 28 kickoffs.

Hugh Freeze said he and Auburn’s staff received videos “almost daily” from Battie’s family in the hospital.

“He is getting better every single day,” Freeze said last month. “He does have a road ahead of him that’s challenging. But praise to God that he’s OK right now — he’s alive and he’s recovering. And we’re thankful for that.”