Dalton Eatherly, 28, known as Chud the Builder, accused of firing at a black man outside courthouse in Clarksville
An influencer has been detained in Tennessee following his alleged involvement in a shooting, according to local police.
On Wednesday afternoon, Dalton Eatherly, 28 – known online as Chud the Builder – was involved in a confrontation with another man outside the Montgomery county courthouse in Clarksville, Tennessee, during which shots were fired, the office of the district attorney general said in a statement.
The Montgomery county sheriff’s office said deputies responding to the scene detained two adult men “involved in a physical altercation that escalated to gunfire”.
“Both individuals sustained gunshot wounds during the incident. One male was transported to Vanderbilt Clarksville hospital for treatment, while the second was transported by Lifeflight to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Both individuals are currently listed in stable condition,” the sheriff’s office added.
Robert Nash, a district attorney general, told Clarksville Now that Eatherly allegedly opened fire and appeared to have shot himself in the arm during the incident.
“The district attorney’s general office is reviewing the facts of the investigation by law enforcement for formal criminal charges,” his office said.
Eatherly has been trying to get social media attention by taking video of himself using racial slurs against Black people, challenging them to fight him.
Less than a week ago, on May 7, Eatherly posted to his ChudTheBuilder X account: “I will defend my life with lethal force. Do not approach me with intent to threaten bodily harm.” And then, “Series finale is dead chimp on the pavement and you monkeys rioting when I walk free. Stay tuned.” Eatherly has made clear that he uses those terms as racial slurs.
In November 2025, Eatherly claimed during at least one of his instigations that he was with the Clarksville Police Department. CPD responded Nov. 13 with a statement on Facebook: “We want to make it clear that this type of behavior is not condoned, and the individual seen in the video is not affiliated with the Clarksville Police Department in any capacity. We take this matter seriously and are looking into it further. The Department will be seeking legal advice to determine what type of action, if any, can be taken. We also recognize and support the rights afforded to all citizens under the United States Constitution, including the First Amendment right to free speech.”
