AUBURN — The family of Auburn running back Brian Battie shared an encouraging update on their GoFundMe page on Wednesday.
Battie’s godmothers, who organized a GoFundMe to support the family after last month’s shooting, posted this update on June 5.
“Brian is still currently in the ICU, but we are fortunate to share that on Saturday, Brian was able to give a thumbs up to his mom with his left hand and show movement in his left leg. The right side of his body had not shown any sign of movement until two days ago. By the grace of God, Brian was able to move his right knee and leg. This news comes as a miracle, but Brian is a fighter and always has been.
“Brian did have the ventilator removed this morning and needed a tracheotomy. Brian has a long journey ahead of him and the Battie Family continues to need everyone’s support and prayers, as they are still grieving the loss of ‘Pooh,’ (Brian’s brother) while praying Brian’s recovery keeps going in a positive direction. We thank everyone for all their support, generosity and prayers that have blessed the Battie family thus far, and we pray that it continues to lift them up through this unimaginable tragedy.”
AL.com wrote, “according to the arrest affidavit, surveillance video at the scene of the May 18 Sarasota shooting where Tommie Battie IV was killed, and Brian Battie critically injured showed a white Hyundai Elantra in the parking lot next to where the shooting occurred. Deputies later determined it was a rental car rented by Nicole Roberts, 29, girlfriend of suspected shooter Darryl Brookins, the report states.”
The report continues, “Investigators determined Roberts drove the car out of the lot in the same direction where Brookins fled on foot. Then, the report states, Roberts drove north into Manatee County, the county between Sarasota and the Tampa-St. Petersburg metro area. The report states investigators found surveillance video that showed the Hyundai parked next to the Manatee River in Bradenton, Florida, and a female believed to be Roberts exiting the driver’s seat, walking down a dock and discarding an item.”
Last week, Auburn offensive coordinator Derrick Nix spoke about the situation.
“My heart has been heavy,” Nix told AL.com prior to an appearance at the Annual First Light Community of Mobile Football Preview and Mobile Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Mitchell Center. “Our team, our players, our heart has been heavy. What’s going on with Brian, we pray for him. We did today as a staff. I try to stay in constant communication with his parents and what’s going on. I actually got a chance to go and visit with him last week. It’s unfortunate, and we’re trying to do our best to stay positive about the situation.”
The Tampa Bay Times reported earlier this week that Battie faced the potential of “permanent paralysis.” Past that, that’s all we really know. Battie is fighting.
According to court documents obtained by The Tampa Bay Times, “The other Battie brother (Brian) remains in critical condition, with the prognosis of permanent paralysis if he survives,” the pretrial detention order for alleged shooter Darryl Brookins says.
Battie was one of five victims of a shooting that took place near the Tallywood Centre Plaza in Sarasota.
Battie’s older brother, Tommie Battie IV, 24, was also among the victims and was killed in the shooting.
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