Auburn Star suffers severe injuries as he’s confirmed to be shot during a random…

Reports indicate that Brian Battie, a former standout player at USF and current Auburn running back, was involved in a shooting in Sarasota early Saturday morning, as confirmed by an Auburn spokesperson. The incident, which occurred around 3:30 a.m. on 17th Street, reportedly claimed the life of Tommie Battie, Brian’s brother.

While the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has not disclosed the names of other victims due to legal restrictions, Evan Keats, Sarasota’s Director of Community Affairs, confirmed that four additional individuals were hospitalized. There is no updatee on their conditions at this time.

An Auburn spokesperson stated they are aware of the situation and are actively gathering information. Sarasota officials reported that deputies responded to the Tallywood Centre Plaza around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, where Tommie Battie was pronounced dead at the scene.

The shooter’s identity and motive have not been disclosed, and investigations are ongoing. Battie, a graduate of Sarasota High School, joined USF in 2020. In 2021, he led the nation in kickoff returns for touchdowns and tied an NCAA single-game record with two 100-yard returns in a game against Houston. In 2022, he became one of only six 1,000-yard rushers in USF history before entering the NCAA transfer portal in January 2023.