Brian Battie 'officially out of the ICU,' family says: 'He has made great progress this week'
AUBURN — The extended family of Auburn running back Brian Battie provided another update on the health status of Battie on June 14. Battie’s godmothers posted this to the family’s GoFundMe page:
“Brian is officially out of the ICU and has moved on to the next level of trauma care. He has made great progress this week and is communicating more. He is smiling, laughing and getting words out. His two favorite words right now have been “brother” and “Tommie.” He was able to write his name yesterday. We are asking all our prayer warriors to continue to pray for Brian’s recovery and complete healing from the top of Brian’s head to the soles of his feet! He still has a long way to recovery. We are exploring all our options for the very best rehabilitation care to cater to his traumatic brain injury. We are asking for God to lead our steps as we advocate and research the very best for our son.”
The extended family goes on to say “finding strength through adversity” has been a journey, and “losing one son has tested our spirits…” The family is encouraged again by Brian’s progress, saying, “seeing our other son emerge from the ICU and make progress fills us with hope and gratitude.” The family offered thanks to everyone who has supported the GoFundMe page and offered thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Recent events with the Battie situation
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.”
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Last month, 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 initially reported Battie faced the potential of “permanent paralysis.”
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.
