Dalton Eatherly, a controversial internet personality known to his followers as Chud The Builder, has been charged with attempted murder and several other felonies following a shooting outside a Tennessee courthouse on Wednesday. The incident, which left two men wounded, was captured in real-time by Eatherly via a livestream, adding a digital layer to a volatile legal situation.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office announced that Eatherly was booked on multiple high-level charges, including criminal attempt: murder, employing a firearm during a dangerous felony, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon. The charges stem from a confrontation that escalated into gunfire on the courthouse grounds, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement.
According to officials, officers responded to reports of shots fired on Wednesday afternoon. Upon arrival, they detained two men who had been engaged in a physical fight that turned violent. Both men sustained bullet wounds; one was transported to a local hospital for treatment, while the other was treated at the scene. Both individuals were listed in stable condition.
Livestream and Claims of Self-Defense
The Chud The Builder courthouse shooting gained immediate attention due to Eatherly’s decision to broadcast the event live to his audience. In the footage and accompanying commentary, Eatherly claimed he was “jumped” outside the courthouse and asserted that he fired his weapon in self-defense.
During the broadcast, Eatherly also stated that he accidentally shot himself amidst the confusion of the fight. While he maintains that his actions were a necessary response to an attack, the Montgomery County District Attorney General’s Office identified Eatherly as the primary suspect, leading to his custody and subsequent formal charging.
The use of a livestream as a primary record of the event provides investigators with a unique evidentiary trail, though the perspective offered by Eatherly differs significantly from the charges filed by the sheriff’s office.
A Pattern of Recent Legal Conflict
This shooting is the latest in a series of legal troubles for Eatherly. Just one week prior to the courthouse incident, he was arrested in Nashville following a dispute at a local restaurant. In that instance, Eatherly was charged with disorderly conduct and theft of services.
Police reports from the Nashville incident indicate that Eatherly became involved in a confrontation with customers who had asked him to stop filming them. Following the spat, Eatherly allegedly left the establishment without paying a bill totaling $371.55.
The rapid succession of these events suggests a volatile period for the streamer, moving from a misdemeanor theft and disorderly conduct charge to multiple violent felonies within a matter of days.
Timeline of Recent Legal Incidents
| Timeframe | Location | Primary Charges/Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| Last Week | Nashville, TN | Disorderly Conduct, Theft of Services ($371.55) |
| Wednesday | Montgomery County Courthouse | Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, Reckless Endangerment |
Legal Implications and Next Steps
The severity of the charges—particularly the “employing a firearm during a dangerous felony” count—could lead to significant prison time if Eatherly is convicted. Under Tennessee law, these charges are handled with high priority, especially when they occur on government property such as a courthouse.
Legal analysts note that while self-defense is a common claim in shooting cases, the burden of proof will rely on whether Eatherly’s use of force was proportional to the threat he faced and whether he instigated the initial conflict. The livestream footage will likely be a centerpiece of the prosecution’s and defense’s arguments.
For those seeking official updates on the case or court dates, records can be monitored through the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office or the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If you or someone you know has been affected by gun violence, support is available through the SAMHSA National Helpline.
Eatherly remains in custody as the legal process unfolds. The next confirmed checkpoint in this case will be his preliminary hearing, where a judge will determine if there is sufficient probable cause to proceed to trial. Further updates will be provided as court filings become available.
We invite readers to share their thoughts on the intersection of livestreaming and legal evidence in the comments below.
