Tennessee Man with Racist Online Persona Faces $1.25M Bond for Courthouse Shooting

Mon Sep 07 2026 08:44:34 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Dalton Eatherly, known for his controversial social media presence, has been charged with attempted murder following a shooting incident outside a courthouse.

Dalton Eatherly, 28, also known as 'Chud the Builder,' was arraigned with a bond set at $1.25 million after being accused of shooting another man outside the Montgomery County Courthouse during a verbal altercation. The incident, which involved multiple bystanders, raises serious questions about public safety and the impact of Eatherly's inflammatory online behavior. He is facing several charges including attempted murder, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dalton Eatherly, a 28-year-old man often recognized by his online persona 'Chud the Builder', has been placed on a preliminary bond of $1.25 million after being charged with attempted murder and other related offenses. The charges stem from a shooting incident that took place on Wednesday outside the Montgomery County Courthouse.

According to the arrest affidavit, Eatherly engaged in a verbal altercation with another man at approximately 1:19 p.m., which led him to draw a firearm from his jacket pocket during their dispute. The confrontation escalated, culminating in Eatherly firing multiple shots, striking the other man, who was subsequently airlifted to a Nashville hospital for emergency surgery and is reported to be in stable condition.

Witness accounts and surveillance footage reveal that several innocent bystanders were present during the shooting. Additionally, audio recordings suggest that Eatherly accidentally shot himself in the arm during the incident.

During Eatherly's arraignment, the prosecution sought to impose a no-bond ruling, citing the serious nature of the charges and the public impact of the shooting. However, Judge H. Reid Poland III set a high bond instead, emphasizing the risk to public safety given the number of people present at the courthouse during the shooting.

Alongside the attempted murder charge, Eatherly faces multiple counts including the use of a firearm during a dangerous felony, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon. This was not Eatherly's first encounter with the law; he had previously been released on bond for two other cases, including a harassment charge and theft of services.

A representative for Eatherly, attorney Jacob Fendley, has taken to responding to the public's outrage over the incident and the attorney's involvement, asserting that the defense team will continue to advocate for Eatherly without prejudice regarding race or ideology.

Eatherly's social media presence has been dominated by controversial and racist content aimed at provoking reactions from onlookers, which raises significant concerns regarding the influence of such behavior on public interactions. Witnesses describe the man he shot as Black, although police have not confirmed the race of the victim.

The preliminary hearing for Eatherly is scheduled for May 26, while a full bond hearing will take place on May 21. Eatherly is currently being held in the Montgomery County jail.