CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee man who broadcasts racist content online under the alias “Chud the Builder” was arrested following a Wednesday shooting incident near a courthouse, according to local officials.
Dalton Eatherly and another individual became involved in an altercation that led to gunshots being fired, announced District Attorney Robert J. Nash. Nash declined to reveal Eatherly’s reason for being at the Clarksville courthouse, his activities there, or what sparked the confrontation.
Authorities did not disclose the race of the second person involved. A witness who observed him being placed in an ambulance identified him as Black.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office confirmed both individuals were taken to medical facilities for treatment and remained in stable condition.
Claire Martin, an employee at a law firm located across from the courthouse, described Eatherly as “well known in Clarksville for antagonizing people to see what he can get them to do.” She explained that he “yells racial slurs” at individuals while recording them. “He’s not a contributing member of society,” she stated.
While Martin did not witness the incident directly, she observed what happened afterward. The other individual “waved at us as he got in the ambulance,” she noted.
On Wednesday, Eatherly posted a video to the website Pump.fun claiming he fired at someone in self-defense after being physically attacked.
Jacob Fendley, the lawyer representing Eatherly in an unrelated November harassment matter according to court documents, did not respond to requests for comment.
Records show Eatherly was scheduled for a Wednesday morning court appearance in Clarksville, situated approximately 50 miles northeast of Nashville, regarding an alleged $3,300 debt to a credit company. The civil lawsuit was initiated in February by Midland Credit Management.
Court documents do not show whether Eatherly attended the status hearing. Online records indicate the case remains active.
Eatherly, who is white, broadcasts confrontational encounters on social media platforms where he can be observed making racist remarks toward Black individuals in public spaces.
In one recording filmed at a store, he addresses a Black man passing by, saying “You chimpin’ out,” referencing chimpanzees. He then repeatedly uses the N-word.
The Black individual is shown using his phone to document the encounter, telling Eatherly, “Don’t touch me.”
A store employee informs Eatherly that such language is prohibited. He replies “America is free speech. Tell me I can’t say something again. This is (expletive) America.”
Throughout history, racists in America and internationally have drawn comparisons between Black people and monkeys or apes. In February, President Donald Trump shared a racist social media post depicting former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as primates in a jungle setting. The post was removed following criticism from both Republicans and Democrats who called the video offensive.
Beyond the credit debt matter, Eatherly is facing criminal charges related to an incident at a Nashville steakhouse on Saturday where he allegedly became disruptive and refused to pay a bill totaling nearly $400.
Court documents state that while the restaurant requested he not livestream on the premises, he continued doing so. When staff asked him to cease, he began shouting and “started making racial statements.”
He was taken into custody on Sunday and charged with theft of services, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, then released on $5,000 bond. His next court date for this matter is set for July 17 in Davidson County criminal court.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reported that one person from Wednesday’s shooting was treated at Vanderbilt of Clarksville Hospital. Hospital officials did not return messages seeking information.
The second individual was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, according to the sheriff’s office. Hospital spokesperson Craig Boerner stated that medical privacy regulations prevent sharing information about violence victims.
