Former USF football player in ‘critical condition’ after weekend shooting
Former USF football player Brian Battie is currently in the hospital after a shooting over the weekend.
Battie, 22, was shot early Saturday morning in Sarasota, according to a GoFundMe posted by his family. He is an Auburn and former USF running back.
The shooting occurred on the 3400 block of 17th Street at the Tallywood Centre Plaza, just over three miles from downtown Sarasota, according to a Sarasota’s County Sheriff’s Office press release.
Deputies arrived at approximately 3:30 a.m. and found multiple victims in the parking lot, according to the sheriff’s office.
Tommie Battie IV – Brian’s brother – was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the press release. He was 24-years old.
The GoFundMe also states that Brian Battie is in critical condition at a local hospital.
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said that Brian Battie is currently on a ventilator, according to an X post Monday afternoon.
Three additional victims were transported to Sarasota and Manatee County hospitals. A Sarasota Memorial Hospital spokesperson declined to comment on their conditions.
Brian Battie played at USF from 2020-2022. He became the second Consensus All-American in program history after returning three kickoff returns for touchdowns in 2021.
He transferred to Auburn in 2023, recording 227 rushing yards and a touchdown last season.
The GoFundMe has raised over $62,000 as of Monday afternoon. The family said money will go towards medical expenses and funeral bills.
This isn’t the only tragedy to strike the USF community recently.
Former USF running back Mike Ford passed away at the age of 37, first reported by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune on May 14.
No further details on his death have been released at the time of publication.
Ford was one of the most prolific rushers in school history, suiting up for the Bulls from 2007-2009. He ran for 1,502 yards and 23 touchdowns – the fifth-most rushing touchdowns in school history
Ford starred at Sarasota High School, running for a Florida-state record 2,836 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2004.
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