The Auburn football program is dealing with tragedy after senior running back Brian Battie was shot in Florida over the weekend.
Battie was wounded at 3:30 AM ET on Saturday after gunfire erupted in the Tallywood Centre Plaza parking lot in Sarasota, Fla.
According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Battie’s brother was the lone individual killed in the shooting.
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze implored fans to provide prayers while announcing on Monday that Battie was on a ventilator.
“Auburn family. Please continue to pray for Brian Battie. He’s still on a ventilator,” Freeze wrote on social, via TMZ Sports.
Auburn Football Player Brian Battie In Critical Condition After Shooting
A GoFundMe account has been set up by the Battie family. As of publication of this article, $66,368 had been raised.
“On May 18, 2024, the Battie family received the most devastating news that Tommie and Brian were victims of a senseless shooting. It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we have to share the unexpected passing of Tommie Battie IV (Pooh). Brian Battie remains in critical condition at a local hospital. We know he will continue to fight and overcome this, just as he has overcome so many other obstacles in his life. Losing a child so unexpectedly is something unimaginable and something that will never be healed.”
Statement from Brian Battie family
A three-star recruit out of Florida back in 2020, Battie initially started his college career at South Florida. He put up nearly 1,300 total yards and eight touchdowns back in 2022 before transferring to Auburn. This past season saw the running back gain 227 rushing yards in part-time action.
Obviously, our thoughts go out to the Battie family during these trying times.
