Auburn running back Brian Batty, a former USF record-setter, was among the victims of a shooting in Sarasota early Saturday morning, an Auburn spokesperson confirmed.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said Batty was one of the victims of a shooting that occurred around 3:30 a.m. in the 3400 block of 17th Street, according to multiple media outlets.
Sarasota Community Affairs Director Evan Keats confirmed that Tommy Batty, 24, died in the shooting. Tommy Batty is Brian Batty's younger brother. Citing Florida's Mercy Law, Keats declined to name the other victims in the shooting, but acknowledged that four more victims were taken to the hospital. There was no update on the condition of the other victims.
“We are aware of the situation and continue to gather information,” an Auburn spokesperson told AL.com when asked about the shooting.
Deputies responded to the Talleywood Center Plaza around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Sarasota officials said. Tommy Batty was pronounced dead at the scene, Keats said.
Deputies have not released the shooter's name or a motive. Investigation is ongoing.
Batty graduated from Sarasota High School and committed to USF in 2020. In 2021, he led the nation with three kickoff returns for touchdowns and tied the NCAA single-game record with two 100-yard returns in the same game (54-42 loss to Houston).
He became the Bulls' sixth 1,000-yard rusher in 2022, gaining 1,186 yards and averaging nearly 100 yards per game before entering the NCAA transfer portal in January 2023.
Written by Ainslie Lee and Matt Cohen, al.com, (TNS)