Girlfriend of alleged shooter in Brian Battie case arrested for throwing away gun

The girlfriend of suspected shooter Tommie Battie IV and Auburn running back Brian Battie was arrested by Sarasota County, Florida deputies 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 at the scene of the May 18 Sarasota shooting, where Tommie Battie IV was killed and Brian Battie seriously injured, showed a white Hyundai Elantra in the parking lot next to the location where the shooting took place. Officers later determined it was a rental car rented by Nicole Roberts, 29, girlfriend of suspected shooter Darryl Brookins, the report states.

Investigators determined Roberts drove the car out of the parking lot in the same direction Brookins fled on foot. Then, the report says, Roberts drove north into Manatee County, the county between Sarasota and Tampa-St. Metropolitan region of St. Petersburg.

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

Later, when investigators went to the scene, they found a Glock 9mm firearm in the area.

After allegedly throwing the gun away, the woman driving the car continued north to Tampa, deputies said. At an apartment complex in Tampa, Brookins was seen getting out of the car with a white shirt wrapped around his head, according to the report.

Deputies report that Brookins first fired a gun at the Battie brothers and they drove toward him toward 3444 17th St. in Sarasota. The report also says the Battie brothers fought back.

Brookins' attorney argued that the defendant acted in self-defense. Roberts pleaded not guilty Monday to his accessory charges.

Tommie Battie IV died at the scene from his injuries during the shooting. Brian Battie remains in hospital. Court documents in the Brookins case indicate that Brian Battie could suffer “permanent paralysis” if he survives his injuries.

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

Matt Cohen covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on @Matt_Cohen_ or send him an email to [email protected]