MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. — Auburn University football coach Hugh Freeze on Tuesday provided a brief update on the status of running back Bryan Batty, who was injured in a shooting on May 18 in his hometown of Sarasota, Fla.
“He's doing better,” Freeze said at the SEC spring meetings. “I want to give my respects to the family. I don't want to say too much, but they appreciate the prayers. It's been a difficult time for the whole family, but he seems to be getting better every day.”
Freese added that Baty, 22, remains in hospital.
Batty, who was shot in the head during the shooting, was one of five victims. His brother, Tommy Batty IV, was hit by a single gunshot wound in the chest and pronounced dead at the scene, according to a Sarasota County Sheriff's Office affidavit. The other three victims, two men and one woman, ages 36 to 46, were taken to local hospitals where they were treated for gunshot wounds.
update:Auburn University football running back Brian Batty faces permanent paralysis diagnosis, according to court documents
The sheriff's office said in a statement that Darryl Bernard Brookins Jr. was arrested on May 22 as a suspect in the shooting. He was charged with murder, attempted murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm and was booked into the Sarasota County Correctional Facility.
According to the affidavit, video footage from surrounding businesses shows Brookins leaning against the window of a nearby business before the shooting began, and also shows Brian and Tommy Batty “walking toward Brookins,” at which point Brookins “immediately pulled out a firearm and began firing at the brothers.” Brian and Tommy both returned fire, according to the affidavit. Brian fell to the ground first, followed by Tommy.
Brookins fled the scene on foot, leaving behind a vehicle that was later found “just west of the shooting scene.” In the hours after the shooting, multiple Crimestoppers calls reported Brookins as the shooter. Police were able to positively identify Brookins as the shooter after matching photos on his license and social media with surveillance footage, the affidavit stated.
Brookins, 28, who has four previous felony convictions, appeared in court for the first time since the shooting on May 23. According to Fox 13 Tampa Bay, his defense attorney, Jacob Grollman, told reporters outside the courtroom that his client acted in self-defense.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the Batey family and has raised more than $104,000 as of Tuesday.
Richard Silva is an Auburn University sports reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached by email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter X (formerly Twitter) @rich_silva18.
