Things got heated in Gainesville on Thursday when white nationalist Richard Spencer spoke at the University of Florida.

Protesters tried to drown out Spencer throughout his speech, which he gave at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

However, the head of the National Policy Institute still talked over all the noise.

"You all look like immature preschoolers who aren't ready for ideas that might get a little challenging," Spencer said.

University officials made it clear Spencer was not welcome, but he had the right to speak.

Spencer says he does not hate anybody, but some students do not believe that.

"I would like to say to him, 'Why are you so hateful? Get some love in your life,'" Giovan Lucas said.

Students say their goal was to spread the message that love conquers hate.

Many of the protesters were students who felt they had the same rights as Spencer to make their voices heard.

“I am on that side of chanting and being, not ok with it. It is not ok. I do respect his right to free speech. Do I have to listen? No,” said student Jordan Johnson.

3 arrested for shooting after protest


Left to Right: Tyler Tenbrink, William Fears and Colton Fears, all from Texas, were arrested following an incident with protesters at a bus stop in Gainesville Thursday. (Gainesville Police Dept.)

Law enforcement officials arrested several people in relation to the Spencer event and the protest.

Three are accused of shooting at a crowd of protesters at a bus stop.

Law enforcement officials arrested Tyler Tenbrink, 28, William Fears, 30, and Colton Fears, 28, all of Texas, hours after the incident.

Police say protesters waiting for a bus near campus reported that three men in a silver Jeep stopped to argue with them. Police say the men began threatening, offering Nazi salutes and shouted chants about Hitler.

The protesters said at one point one of the men, which police identify as Tyler Tenbrink, pulled out a gun. Police say the Fears, who are brothers, encouraged him to shoot at the victims. Police say Tenbrink then fired a single shot, which struck a nearby building, and then the three men fled. 

No one was hurt. One of the protesters was able to get the vehicle tag number and report it to law enforcement. Several hours later, an off-duty deputy spotted the suspects.

Law enforcement stopped the vehicle on I-75 and took the three men into custody. They say at least two of the suspect have connections to extremist groups, and Tenbrink is a convicted felon and therefore should not have had a gun.

They've all been charged with attempted murder.

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office also made two arrests during the speech and protest, with one of the men arrested is from Orlando.

Deputies say 28-year-old Sean Brijmohan was carrying a gun on school property, which is illegal.

The sheriff's office stated he was an armed security guard hired by local media.

The other man who was arrested, 34-year-old David Notte, was charged with resisting an officer without violence.

Protesters were also outside the arts center before and during Spencer's speech.

Thousands of people came out for the so-called "no Nazis at UF" rally.

Five hundred officers kept a close eye on what was happening, with the University of Florida sending out a press release through Facebook thanking law enforcement.

Gov. Rick Scott tweeted out his appreciation to law enforcement.