Man Plotted Unsuccessful Killing Of Mechanic Shop Owner For Weeks, Documents Reveal

Court documents reveal a man accused of shooting a mechanic shop owner had been plotting his revenge for weeks. 

Saturday, police responded to a northwest Oklahoma City body shop where gunshots rang out following a dispute over car repairs.

“When police got there one person was shot in the abdomen,” said Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Dillon Quirk.

Police arrested William Bryant in a parking lot nearby.

“The shooter had called into police, stated that he was near the scene there, so police could speak with him,” said Quirk.

Following his arrest, Bryant told police he started planning to kill the victim one month ago, after he said he became frustrated with the victim's "unwillingness to repay him $2,000."

“The victim was the owner of that business working on the suspect's vehicle,” said Quirk.

According to court filings, the day of the shooting, cameras captured Bryant concealing his vehicle behind a nearby business. Police said Bryant was armed with a gun as he made a beeline for the victim who was

"power washing a vehicle."

After shooting the victim once, Bryant said he tried to shoot the victim again as he ran away.

Bryant also told police he had not planned on surrendering but rather, "wanted to bait officers into killing him because he did not want to go to prison."

Court filings also revealed Bryant left a note at the scene addressed to Oklahoma City Police. In it, he instructed them how to open his phone saying, "there's a video that will explain why. Thanks."

Police said the victim was hospitalized in critical but stable condition.

“I would never imagine anyone could do that to him,” said customer Giselle Avila.

Three days after the shooting, customer Giselle Avila arrived to find the shop’s doors still locked, and freshly laundered mechanics shirts left outside the normally bustling business.

“They're pretty nice people, all of them, and their prices and warranties are good,” said Avila.

Avila was shocked to learn its owner had been shot.

“Every time I come here, he tries to make conversation, he just seems very nice,” said Avila. 

Bryant is being held on a $1 million bond.