Auburn’s Battie hurt, bro dead in shooting

• Chris Low, ESPN Senior WriterMay 20, 2024, 01:17 PM ET

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  • College football reporter
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of the University of Tennessee

Auburn running back Brian Battie is in important condition following a shooting in his home town of Sarasota, Florida, on Saturday that killed his brother, Tommie Battie, 24.

Auburn coach Hugh Freeze requested for prayers for Battie on his social networks account Monday. Freeze said there was a problem Sunday and that Battie remains on a ventilator.The Sarasota County Constable’s Office released a statement over the weekend that it was investigating a shooting that happened in the 3400 block of 17th Street early Saturday morning.Deputies initially responded to the Tallywood Centre

Plaza at roughly 3:30 a.m. where they observed a big crowd with multiple shooting victims in the parking lot. One victim, Tommie L. Battie IV, was noticable dead at the scene. Four additional victims were transferred to local health centers in both Manatee and Sarasota counties.Auburn’s only authorities declaration at this point is that the school is aware of the incident and still gathering

information.Battie, who started his profession at South Florida, was Auburn’s leading kick returner last season and also hurried for 227 yards as a running back.