Girlfriend of man accused of shooting Brian Battie arrested in Sarasota

The girlfriend of the suspected shooter of Tommie Battie IV and Auburn running back Brian Battie was arrested by Sarasota County police in connection with the shooting for allegedly trying to hide the gun used in the shooting, according to court documents filed Monday.

According to the arrest affidavit, surveillance video from the scene of the May 18 shooting in Sarasota that killed Tommie Battie IV and critically injured Brian Battie showed a white Hyundai Elantra in the parking lot next to the shooting scene. Officers later determined it was a car rented by Nicole Roberts, 29, the girlfriend of suspected shooter Darryl Brookins, the report said.

Investigators determined that Roberts drove the car out of the parking lot in the same direction that Brookins fled on foot. Then, the report states, Roberts drove north toward Manatee County.

The report said investigators found surveillance video showing the Hyundai parked next to the Manatee River in Bradenton and a woman, believed to be Roberts, getting out of the driver’s seat, walking along a dock and throwing an object.

When investigators later visited the crime scene, they found a 9mm Glock firearm.

After the woman allegedly discarded the gun, she continued driving north toward Tampa, officials said. At a Tampa apartment complex, Brookins was seen getting out of the car with a white shirt wrapped around his head, the report said.

Officials say Brookins first fired at the Battie brothers as they approached him near 3444 17th Street in Sarasota. The report also states that the Battie brothers returned fire.

Brookins’ attorney argued that the defendant acted in self-defense. Roberts pleaded not guilty to the aiding and abetting charges on Monday.

Tommie Battie IV died of his injuries at the scene. Brian Battie is still hospitalized. Court documents in Brookins’ file state that Brian Battie could be “permanently paralyzed” if he survives his injuries.

At the SEC spring meetings last week in Destin, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said Battie “seems to be getting better every day.”

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