A man has been charged in connection with the shooting that left Auburn University football player Bryan Batty in critical condition, according to the local sheriff’s office.
Darryl Brookins, 28, was arrested Wednesday and charged with opening fire in the parking lot of the Tallywood Center Plaza in Florida on Saturday. according to Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) press release. Batty and three others were injured in the shooting. Batty’s brother, Tommy Batty IV, died during the shooting, the press release said.
Brookins was reportedly seen on security camera footage leaning against the window of a nearby store. according to WFLA News. The Batty brothers reportedly walked toward him, and that’s when Brookins fired his gun at them.
The brothers returned fire, causing both men to fall to the ground, the outlet reported. Brookins allegedly fled the scene, but was eventually identified after multiple tips, WFLA reported, citing SCSO.
The 28-year-old man’s car was found abandoned in the parking lot where the shooting occurred, the outlet reported.
“Brookins has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and being a felon in possession of a firearm,” the press release states.
Batty, a college football running back, was shot in the head and is in critical condition, according to WFLA. Auburn University football coach Hugh Freeze said Monday that Batty is on a ventilator.
“Auburn University family. Please continue to pray for Brian Batty,” Freese wrote on Twitter. “My symptoms worsened last night and I am still on a ventilator. #AUSTRONG”
Batty previously played at the University of South Florida and was a consensus All-American selection in 2021. according to Sports Illustrated.
Tommy Batty was shot in the chest and pronounced dead at the scene, according to WFLA, while three other people were injured in the incident and taken to local hospitals. (Related: Auburn Brian Batty shot, brother Tommy killed in Florida shooting).
a gofundme The piece was created for the Batty family, expressing their grief for the 24-year-old boy they called “Pooh.”
“Losing a child unexpectedly is unimaginable and will never heal. Without Pooh, this family will never be the same again, and neither will the people who had the pleasure of knowing him.” says the GoFundMe.
“Brian Batty remains in critical condition at a local hospital. We know he will continue to fight through this challenge, just as he has overcome many challenges in his life.” This is stated in the fundraising campaign. “Please continue to pray for Brian to make a full recovery and return home to his loving family.”
