GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Three men were charged with attempted homicide after they argued with a group of people protesting a white nationalist’s speech and fired a shot at them, police said Friday.
Tyler Tenbrink, 28, of Richmond, Tex., jumped out with a gun, authorities said. According to the Alachua County sheriff’s arrest report, Colton Fears, 28, and William Fears, 30, of Pasadena, Tex., encouraged Tenbrink to shoot, yelling, “I’m going to f—— kill you,” “Kill them” and “Shoot them.”
The men then fled in the Jeep, but one of the people who had been targeted got the license plate number and reported it to police. An off-duty sheriff’s deputy who had worked at the Spencer event found the Jeep.
Gainesville police confirmed Friday that the arrests were related to the event.
Tobias said all three admitted to having been involved in the shooting when they were stopped by police on Interstate 75 about 15 miles north of Gainesville. Tenbrink admitted he was the shooter, according to the Alachua County sheriff’s arrest report.
Spencer’s speech was repeatedly disrupted by people shouting at him, but the protests outside remained largely peaceful, despite tensions between his supporters and more than 2,500 counterprotesters.
“I hesitate to make a comment on an incident that just happened,” Spencer said Friday evening. “If it actually happened as it is described in the news, then it is an absolutely terrible incident and it can’t be defended. But I think we should all remember that it is a developing story.”
Left to Right: William Fears, Colton Fears, Tyler Tenbrink(shooter)
