Auburn’s Brian Battie will ‘fight and overcome’ after shooting that killed his brother, supporters say

A GoFundMe has been launched for the family of Auburn running back Brian Battie, who is reportedly one of the victims of a shooting that took place in Sarasota, Florida early Saturday morning.

Battie’s older brother, Tommie Battie IV, was killed in the shooting.

The GoFundMe’s organizers, listed as Kelli Raines and Tanya Babinski, have set a $100,000 goal. And as of Sunday night, at 8 p.m., more than $32,000 had been raised.

“On May 18, 2024, the Battie family received the most devastating news that Tommie and Brian were victims of a senseless shooting. It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we have to share the unexpected passing of Tommie Battie IV (Pooh). Brian Battie remains in critical condition at a local hospital. We know he will continue to fight and overcome this, just as he has overcome so many other obstacles in his life. Losing a child so unexpectedly is something unimaginable and something that will never be healed. The family will never be the same without Pooh, and neither will anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him,” wrote the organizers.

“We ask that you continue to pray for Brian to make a full recovery to return home with his loving family. With all of the emotional pain and stress that tragedy brings, it also brings financial burdens. We would like to raise money for the Battie family to help with unforeseen funeral expenses and medical bills. The family is understandably shocked by this loss and not prepared for all that is happening at this time.”

You can donate to the effort here:

Multiple Tampa-area media outlets reported Battie as one of the victims in a shooting the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office says happened in the 3400 block of 17th Street, Sarasota at approximately 3:30 a.m. Saturday.

Sarasota Director of Community Affairs Evan Keats confirmed to AL.com that Brian Battie’s older brother, Tommie Battie, 24, was killed in the shooting.

Sarasota deputies said deputies responded to the Tallywood Centre Plaza at approximately 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning. Tommie Battie was pronounced dead at the scene, Keats said.

Keats would not confirm any other victim’s name in the shooting, citing Florida’s Marsy’s Law statute, but did confirm four additional victims were taken to the hospital. There was no update on the other victim’s conditions.

“We are aware of the situation and are continuing to gather information,” an Auburn spokesperson responded when asked by AL.com about the shooting Saturday afternoon.