Brian Battie, an Auburn graduate, is “determined to make a full recovery,” according to his family.
Auburn running back Brian Battie has his sights on making a full recovery and eventually graduating from Auburn despite being critically injured during a May shooting in his hometown of Sarasota, Florida, his family wrote in an update to their GoFundMe campaign on Friday.
“Despite facing challenges that would make many feel discouraged, (Brian) has shown unwavering strength and a deep trust in God’s plan. Brian is determined to make a full recovery and finish his Senior year at Auburn and graduate,” Brian Battie’s parents wrote in the update. “The road ahead is still long, with the Dr.’s suggesting a year of intensive therapy ahead of us.”
Friday morning’s update comes on the heels of Brian Battie recently taking his first steps since the shooting with the assistance of a cane — a feat that once seemed unlikely as court documents filed against the alleged shooter, Darryl Brookins Jr., stated Brian Battie was facing a prognosis of permanent paralysis.
On May 18, Brian Battie was one of six victims of a shooting outside the Tallywood Centre Plaza in Sarasota as he suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Brian’s older brother, Tommie Battie IV, was killed in the shooting.
Four days after the shooting, Sarasota deputies arrested Brookins after multiple Crime Stoppers tips identified him as the suspected shooter and charged him with murder, attempted murder and as a felon in possession of a firearm.
Following the shooting, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to benefit the Battie family.
Initially set with with a goal of $100,000, the GoFundMe has raised more than $114,000 as of Friday morning.
“We want to express our deepest gratitude for all your incredible support during this incredibly challenging time for our family,” Brian and Tommie Battie’s parents wrote Friday. “Your generosity and kindness has been a beacon of hope for us as we grieve the profound loss of our son, Tommie Lee Battie IV and as we are forced to face the ongoing challenges with our other son, Brian Battie’s recovery.”