Former USF running back Brian Battie reportedly injured in Sarasota shooting

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Auburn running back Brian Battie, a former record-setting USF player, is reportedly among the victims of a shooting in Sarasota early Saturday morning, an Auburn spokesperson confirmed.

According to multiple media outlets, Battie was one of the victims in a shooting the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office says happened in the 3400 block of 17th Street at approximately 3:30 a.m.

Sarasota Director of Community Affairs Evan Keats confirmed Tommie Battie, 24, was killed in the shooting. Tommie Battie is Brian Battie's brother. Keats would not confirm any other victims' names in the shooting, citing Florida's Marsy's Law statute, but did confirm that four additional victims were taken to the hospital. There was no update on the other victims' 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.

Sarasota officials 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.

Deputies have not released the name of the shooter or a motive. An investigation is ongoing.

Battie graduated from Sarasota High School before joining USF in 2020. In 2021 he led the nation with three kickoff returns for touchdowns and tying an NCAA single-game record with two 100-yard returns in the same contest (a 54-42 loss to Houston).

He became only the Bulls' sixth 1,000-yard rusher in 2022, collecting 1,186 yards and averaging nearly 100 per game before entering the NCAA transfer portal in January 2023.

By Ainslie Lee and Matt Cohen, al.com, (TNS)