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Auburn's Brian Battie released from hospital after three months

After three months of treatment and recovery, Auburn running back Brian Battie was released from Sarasota Memorial Hospital this week, according to a Facebook update from his mother, Adrienne.

Battie was shot in his hometown of Sarasota, Florida, in May and has been hospitalized since then. He was released from intensive care in late June and allowed to eat solid food. According to his family's GoFundMe page, Battie was able to walk again with a cane last month – after his original prognosis in court documents was “permanent paralysis.”

“Today we give God all the glory!” wrote Adrienne Battie on the Auburn Tigers Fan HQ Facebook page. “Today was a special day that we will never forget. With hearts full of gratitude and praise we watched Brian leave the hospital after suffering a gunshot wound to the head. Words cannot express the joy and gratitude we feel right now. We have witnessed a miracle and we know it is because of God's grace, mercy and the power of prayer. We prayed every day for God's healing and we claimed it knowing Brian would leave the hospital and today HE DID IT!

“During these difficult months, we have seen God’s hand at work in so many ways – from the incredible doctors and nurses who cared for him, to the love and support of our family and friends, to the strength Brian has shown every single day.

“We are in awe of His goodness and the miraculous recovery that took place before our eyes. Thank you to EVERYONE who prayed with us, supported us and believed with us. Today we celebrate a miracle and give God all the glory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

On May 18, Battie, a former USF transfer, was one of five victims of a shooting at a Sarasota mall. His brother, 24-year-old Tommie Battie IV, was pronounced dead that day. The Tampa Bay Times reported that Brian was shot in the head.

Darryl Brookins, 28, was arrested by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and is charged with murder, attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, which obtained a copy of the arrest affidavit, surveillance footage shows Brian and Tommie approached Brookins shortly after 3 a.m. Brookins pulled out a gun and began shooting. The Battie brothers returned fire before both were shot.

Brookins' attorney said he would argue self-defense. The Sarasota police affidavit said surveillance footage showed Brookins “immediately” firing at the Battie brothers as they approached him.

Brian played his first three college seasons at South Florida, where he had 1,841 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. In 2021, he was named an All-American kick returner, leading the nation with 32.5 yards per return and returning three kicks for touchdowns.

Brian transferred to Auburn last January. In his only season as a Tiger, he ran for 227 yards and one touchdown and returned 28 kickoffs.

Hugh Freeze said he and Auburn's staff received videos from Battie's family from the hospital “almost daily.”

“He's getting better every day,” Freeze said last month. “He's got a challenging road ahead of him. But thank God he's OK now – alive and recovering. And we're grateful for that.”

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