CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — A man known online as “Chud the Builder” has been arrested and charged with attempted murder following a shooting outside the Montgomery County Courthouse on Wednesday, authorities announced.
Dalton Eatherly, 28, was involved in a confrontation with an unidentified man that escalated into gunfire, according to a statement from District Attorney Robert J. Nash. While police did not specify the race of the second individual, a witness reported seeing a Black man being loaded into an ambulance. Both men were transported to hospitals for medical treatment and are listed in stable condition.
Criminal Charges and Legal Proceedings
In addition to the attempted murder charge, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has charged Eatherly with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, and employing a firearm during a dangerous felony. Eatherly is currently being held at the Montgomery County jail pending an arraignment hearing to set bond.
The shooting occurred on the same day Eatherly was scheduled to appear in court regarding a civil case involving a $3,300 debt allegedly owed to Midland Credit Management. Court records indicate the case remains open, though it is unclear if Eatherly attended the morning status hearing.
Eatherly’s legal troubles extend beyond this incident:
- Steakhouse Incident: He faces charges of theft of services, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest after an incident at a Nashville steakhouse last Saturday. According to an affidavit, Eatherly refused to pay a bill of nearly $400 and continued to livestream inside the business after being asked to stop, during which time he allegedly began screaming and making racial statements. He was released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled for a court appearance on July 17 in Davidson County criminal court.
- Harassment Case: Court records show Eatherly was represented by attorney Jacob Fendley in a separate harassment case dating back to November.
Pattern of Confrontation
Eatherly, a white man, has gained notoriety for livestreaming himself engaging in public confrontations where he directs racially derogatory statements at Black people. In one recorded instance at a market, Eatherly used the N-word repeatedly and told a Black man, “You chimpin’ out,” a reference to chimpanzees. When a clerk informed him he was not allowed to use such language, Eatherly responded, “America is free speech. Tell me I can’t say something again. This is (expletive) America.”
Local residents and professionals describe a pattern of antagonistic behavior. Claire Martin, who works in an attorney’s office near the courthouse, stated that Eatherly is “well known in Clarksville for antagonizing people to see what he can get them to do,” adding that “he’s not a contributing member of society.” Clarksville resident Larry Quillen noted that Eatherly has been seen in videos carrying mace and a gun to “start things,” describing Eatherly’s actions as “hate” rather than freedom of speech.
Claims of Self-Defense
Following the shooting, Eatherly posted a video to the website Pump.fun. In the clip, he is heard speaking with paramedics and claiming he shot the man in self-defense after being hit. During the exchange, Eatherly asks a paramedic, “Did I shoot myself or did it graze it?”
Broader Context and Significance
The language used by Eatherly reflects a historical trend of racists in the U.S. And other nations comparing Black people to primates. The primary source notes a similar instance in February when President Donald Trump posted a social media post depicting former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as primates in a jungle. the post was later deleted following criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
Potential Next Steps
Legal proceedings for Eatherly are likely to move forward in multiple jurisdictions. A possible next step includes his arraignment in Montgomery County to determine bond for the attempted murder and weapons charges. He may be required to appear in Davidson County criminal court on July 17 to address the charges stemming from the Nashville steakhouse incident.