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Man Involved In Shooting After Spencer Event To Be Extradited To Texas

William Fears
William Fears

One of three men arrested in connection with a gun being shot soon after Richard Spencer’s Oct. 19 appearance at the University of Florida will soon be extradited to Texas for a separate legal matter there.

A transfer date for 30-year-old William Fears — who wasn't the actual shooter but is considered an accomplice in the incident — has not been set, Darry Lloyd, an investigator for the state attorney's office, told WUFT News.

It wasn't immediately clear what Fears' legal issues are in Texas, and his attorney declined comment.

The three men — Fears; his brother Colton Fears, 28; and Tyler Tenbrink, also 28 — approached anti-Spencer protesters at a bus stop at the corner of Southwest 34th Street and Archer Road in a silver Jeep, police said.

One of the men yelled “Hail Hitler” and other chants at the protesters. One of the protesters then smashed the Jeep's rear view window with a baton.

The Jeep backed up, and Tenbrink fired a gun, hitting a building nearby, while the Fears brothers urged him to “kill them, shoot them.”

One of those at the bus stop reported the license plate number to police, and the three were arrested that night about 20 miles away.

The Fears brothers were charged with accessory to an attempted homicide, while Tenbrink was arrested on charges of attempted homicide and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

William Fears remained in the custody of Alachua County law enforcement as of Thursday afternoon, Lloyd said, and transportation to Texas is being set up by officials there.

Fears' case in Florida will remain open, and once any sentencing is complete in Texas, he will return to Florida for trial, Lloyd said.

Meanwhile, Colton Fears filed a motion on Tuesday to lower his bond from $1 million to $10,000, but the motion was denied, according to court records.

“Anything in the $10,000 to $50,000 range would be reasonable for a crime of this level and degree,” said Lucas Taylor, Colton Fears' attorney.

Tenbrink appealed to lower his bond of $3 million earlier in November, but this was also denied.

Tenbrink and Colton Fears remained in custody as of Thursday, the latter on a $1 million bond.

Bailey LeFever can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.