Auburn running back Brian Battie is in critical condition after being shot over the weekend and his brother Tommie was killed in the same shooting in Sarasota, Florida.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday with Tommie Battie being pronounced dead at the scene and Brian Battie being treated in a local hospital, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported.
Responding sheriff deputies arrived on a scene where they witnessed a large crowd with multiple victims and three other victims were taken to local hospitals, according to the report.
Battie remained in the intensive care unit on Sunday and he is able to move his hands, Rivals’ Auburn Sports reported.
It wasn’t immediately known what the cause of the incident was and no suspects have been identified by officials in connection with the shooting.
A spokesperson for Auburn confirmed they were aware of the incident to AL.com.
“We are aware of the situation and are continuing to gather information,” a spokesperson for the school told the outlet.
Battie played three seasons at the University of Southern Florida before he transferred to Auburn ahead of the 2023 season.
He spent the year as the team’s primary kick returner and returned 28 kicks for 645 yards.
Battie registered 51 carries for 227 yards and a touchdown, along with seven catches.
In his final season at USF, Battie had 1,185 rushing yards and eight touchdowns and in 2021 he was an All-American as a return specialist in 2021.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family in the wake of the tragedy.
In the post, it asks for donations to “help relieve some burden from this amazing family who didn’t deserve this tragedy. Please keep praying for Brian as he is still fighting for his life.”
