One of the men arrested and charged in connection with a shooting following white supremacist Richard Spencer’s speaking event at the University of Florida in October 2017 received his sentencing on Wednesday.
Tyler Tenbrink, 30, was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison on counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon. He entered a plea of no contest.
Gainesville police said at approximately 5:20 p.m. on Oct. 19, 2017, shortly after Spencer was forced to conclude his appearance early due to jeers drowning him out, Tenbrink, along with brothers Colton and William Fears, pulled up to a bus stop located at 3315 SW Archer Road. One passenger began yelling “Hail Hitler” and other remarks at the people waiting at the stop.
An argument transpired until one person hit the car’s back window with a baton. The car pulled away but quickly came to a halt, according to the report. Witnesses told police Tenbrink then emerged from the car with a handgun and fired a shot, which hit the building behind the stop.
William Fears was extradited to Texas for a separate legal matter there. Colton Fears is still in custody in Gainesville. He has a pre-trial conference scheduled for March 18.
Tenbrink has faced multiple felony charges in his home state of Texas.
“Criminal history follows you,” Judge James Colaw said Wednesday prior to the sentencing. “It followed you from Texas to Florida and into this courtroom.”
Tenbrink was charged with assault multiple times in Texas, as well as theft. He plans to petition the Florida Department of Corrections to serve his time in Texas instead of Florida.
“That would be ideal to be closer to my family and my children,” Tenbrink said.
The 496 days Tenbrink has already served in Alachua County Jail will slightly reduce his sentence.