Racist Livestreamer ‘Chud The Builder’ Charged With Attempted Murder After Tennessee Courthouse Shooting

A controversial livestreamer known online as “Chud the Builder” is facing multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, after a shooting outside a Tennessee courthouse on Wednesday left two men hospitalized.

Dalton Eatherly, 28, was charged with attempted murder, employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon following the incident outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said both Eatherly and another unidentified man were shot during the confrontation. Both were transported to nearby hospitals and were listed in stable condition as of Wednesday evening.

Officials have not yet released details explaining what sparked the altercation or exactly how the shooting unfolded.

Eatherly, who streams online under the name “Chud the Builder,” later broadcast himself speaking with first responders following the incident, claiming he acted in self-defense.

“I had to defend myself by shooting him,” Eatherly said during the livestream.

In the footage, Eatherly claimed he walked past a group of people who were allegedly “laughing” and “pointing” at him before tensions escalated. According to Eatherly’s account, the unidentified man warned him to walk away before allegedly threatening violence.

“He said, ‘You start saying all that chimp out s**t to me and imma hit you,’” Eatherly said in the stream. “And he hit me, he started whaling on me.”

Eatherly has built an online following through inflammatory livestreams and videos, including repeated use of racial slurs and derogatory remarks targeting Black people.

Court records and prior affidavits also detail a separate incident days earlier at a Nashville restaurant, where prosecutors described Eatherly as a livestreamer “who filmed content, including racially charged content” on social media.

According to the affidavit, restaurant staff asked him to stop livestreaming inside the establishment. Eatherly allegedly became “disruptive and started making racial statements, yelling, screaming” and causing a scene.

Eatherly then allegedly told staff, “I’m not paying if you are kicking me out,” and refused to pay a $371.55 bill, according to the affidavit.

A few hours after leaving the restaurant, officers located Eatherly walking on a street. When informed he was under arrest, he allegedly pulled his arm away as officers attempted to place him in handcuffs before being taken into custody without further incident.

He was later released on a $5,000 bond, according to a judge’s order.

Additional court documents note prosecutors have characterized Eatherly as a livestreamer “who filmed content, including racially charged content” across multiple platforms.

Other videos posted to social media allegedly show Eatherly repeatedly using racial slurs and engaging in confrontational behavior online. In one clip shared to X last week, Eatherly can be seen spraying what appears to be a chemical agent at a Black man after an altercation in which the man knocked his hat off, while repeatedly using racial slurs.

Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson condemned the violence following the courthouse shooting.

“It’s unfortunate that incidents like this are happening in our community,” Fuson said. “This kind of violence won’t be tolerated, and our office will work to make sure those responsible are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Eatherly remains in custody at the Montgomery County Jail pending arraignment. It remains unclear whether he has obtained legal representation.