SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Nicole Roberts will appear in court Thursday for her role following the shooting of the Battie brothers in May.
The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting are being debated in court. Official records show that Darryl Brookins pointed his gun at Tommie and Brian Battie, who then pulled out their own weapons and returned fire. In the hail of bullets, six people were injured, including Brookins himself, who suffered a scratch to his ear.
Since the May 18 shooting, Brookins has been charged with murder and attempted murder, as well as other crimes. A judge denied him bail.
Sarasota police say Brookins shot first, but Brookins’ attorney told ABC7 that the Battie brothers and others had shot his client before using his own gun. Police say their version of events is supported by surveillance footage.
Tommie Battie IV was killed in the shooting. Brian Battie is still recovering in hospital and faces the possibility of permanent paralysis.
Then Brookins disappeared.
According to arrest records, Roberts left the scene of the shooting in a rental car and then drove to the Manatee River, where he dumped the gun.
Detectives later searched the water and pulled a Glock from the river.
Brookins turned himself in to Sarasota police on May 22.
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