Dalton Eatherly, a 28-year-old individual known for online videos featuring racially derogatory statements, is now facing an attempted murder charge following a shooting incident outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville, Tennessee. Eatherly was taken into custody shortly after the event, which saw another man struck multiple times by gunfire. Authorities have set a bond at $1.25 million for Eatherly, who appeared in court on Friday, May 15, 2026.
A preliminary hearing is slated for May 26, with a full bond hearing scheduled for May 21. Prosecutors had initially pushed for Eatherly to be held without bond. Court documents indicate that Eatherly claimed self-defense in a video posted on Wednesday, stating the other man initiated the physical confrontation. The District Attorney’s office has not disclosed the specific reasons for Eatherly's presence at the courthouse or the catalyst for the altercation.
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Eatherly, who has been active online under the moniker 'Chud the Builder', is recognized for livestreams capturing antagonistic public confrontations, often targeting Black individuals. He has prior legal entanglements, having been previously released on bond in two separate cases. A harassment charge in Montgomery County from November is also on record. Authorities apprehended Eatherly a few hours after the shooting.
The confrontation occurred around 1:15 p.m. outside the courthouse. According to a charging document, Eatherly fired his weapon, hitting the other individual. Eatherly himself was taken from the scene via ambulance. His past online activities, described as involving "hate" rather than free speech by one observer, have drawn attention in the wake of the incident.
