SARASOTA, Fla. — Brian Battie, the former University of South Florida running back who was injured while his brother, Tommie Battie IV, was killed after a shooting in May at a shopping plaza, has been released from the hospital, his family said on GoFundMe.
In the GoFundMe post, Tommie and Adriene Battie stated they were "truly grateful to God for his healing and mercy."
"We are thrilled to share that Brian has made such significant progress thanks to the excellent care he received at the inpatient rehab facility at Sarasota Memorial Hospital," Tommie and Adriene stated. "We are forever thankful for the outstanding care and love our family was given by the amazing team of healthcare professionals at Sarasota Memorial."
Now that Brian is home, he will continue his recovery in outpatient rehab at Sarasota Memorial Hospital for the next six to nine months, Tommie and Adriene stated. Brian will also reportedly undergo an important surgery to prevent further complications.
Brian Battie was left on a ventilator after the shooting took place on May 18. The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a strip mall at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday, finding a large crowd and multiple shooting victims in the parking lot, the Associated Press reported.
The office said in a statement that Tommie L. Battie IV was pronounced dead at the scene. Four others, who weren't named, were taken to hospitals in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
The suspect in the shooting, 28-year-old Darryl Brookins, was arrested Wednesday, May 22 with help from the U.S. Marshals Task Force, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said in a news release at the time.