SARASOTA, Fla. — Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested a suspect connected to last weekend's shooting that injured an Auburn University football player and killed his brother.
Darryl Brookins, 28, was arrested Wednesday afternoon with help from the U.S. Marshals Task Force, according to a sheriff's office news release. The shooting took place Saturday outside the Hookah Lounge Marrakech parking lot on 17th Street in Sarasota.
Deputies say Brookins was standing at the nearby Choice Vacuum located in the same shopping plaza.
That was when Auburn University running back Brian Battie and his brother, high school football standout Tommie Battie IV, started walking toward Brookins.
Then, Brookins drew a firearm at the brothers, before both of them returned gunfire back at him, the sheriff's office said. Both brothers reportedly fell to the ground as a result of the exchange.
Brian Battie was hospitalized and placed on a ventilator after he was shot, according to his coach. Tommie Battie IV was pronounced dead at the scene, according to deputies.
Three others were also injured.
After the exchange, Brookins reportedly fled the scene on foot going east on 17th Street. Several hours following the shooting, multiple Crimestoppers tips reported that he shot the brothers.
With the use of Brookins vehicle, which was left at the scene of the shooting, his driver's license, social media accounts and surveillance video of the incident, detectives said they were able to identify him as the suspect.
Brookins is charged with murder, attempted murder and as a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies said he will booked into the Sarasota County Jail.
Deputies also learned he had four prior felony convictions, all of which he was determined guilty of.
Brian Battie spent three seasons at the University of South Florida before transferring to Auburn. He ran for 227 yards and a touchdown last season while ranking fourth in the Southeastern Conference in kick return average (23.0 yards).
The 5-foot-7, 168-pounder ran for 1,186 yards in 2022 and finished his South Florida career with 1,842 yards and 10 touchdowns.
A GoFundMe page was started by two women who said they were godmothers of the Battie brothers. The page raised nearly $95,000 by Wednesday afternoon.