Sarasota, Florida – A tragic shooting in a parking lot in Sarasota left one person dead and several others injured. The incident, which took place in the early hours of Saturday morning, involved two brothers, Tommie Battie IV and Brian Battie. The suspect, identified as Darryl Bernard Brookins Jr., was arrested by Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Wednesday in connection with the shooting.
According to video footage from surrounding businesses, the shooting occurred in the Tallywood Centre Plaza parking lot. The footage shows Brookins shooting at the Battie brothers after they approached him. Both brothers returned gunfire, resulting in injuries to Brian Battie.
Brookins fled the scene on foot, leaving his car behind. However, law enforcement authorities were able to identify him as the suspect thanks to tips received through Crimestoppers. It was revealed that Brookins had two pending felony charges in Manatee County for sexual battery.
In the wake of the tragic incident, a GoFundMe page was set up by the godmothers of Tommie IV and Brian Battie to support their family. The campaign has raised over $94,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.
This shooting is one of three that have occurred in Sarasota County over the past week. Authorities are continuing to investigate the motive behind the attack and whether there was any prior connection between Brookins and the victims.
Brookins faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He has been booked into the Sarasota County Correctional Facility. The community is coming together to support the Battie family as they deal with the aftermath of this tragic event.