Controversial Streamer Chud the Builder Faces Decades in Prison After Tennessee Courthouse Shooting

18 May 2026

For years, controversial livestreamer Dalton Eatherly built an online following by provoking outrage. Known across the internet as “Chud the Builder,” the 28 year old Tennessee content creator became infamous for livestreaming confrontational interactions filled with racist remarks, harassment, and inflammatory public behavior designed to attract attention online. But now, the internet personality who once treated controversy like entertainment is facing the most serious consequences of his life after a courthouse confrontation erupted into gunfire, leaving one man critically injured and Eatherly facing charges that could send him to prison for decades.

The incident unfolded on May 13 outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville, Tennessee. According to investigators, Eatherly became involved in a heated confrontation with another man that quickly escalated into violence. Authorities say the situation turned physical after an argument between the two men, ending when Eatherly allegedly pulled a firearm and shot the victim multiple times during the altercation. The victim, later identified by reports as Joshua Fox, a Black disabled military veteran, was airlifted to a Nashville hospital for emergency surgery and later stabilized.

Police arrested Eatherly at the scene and charged him with attempted murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, and employing a firearm during a dangerous felony. During his first court appearance days later, General Sessions Court Judge Reid Poland III delivered a stark warning about the seriousness of the charges, noting that attempted criminal homicide in Tennessee can carry a prison sentence ranging from 15 to 60 years. The judge also set Eatherly’s bond at $1.25 million, citing concerns about public safety and the violent nature of the incident.

Videos from the courtroom quickly spread online, showing Eatherly visibly emotional after hearing the massive bond amount. In clips shared widely across social media, the streamer lowered his head and closed his eyes as the judge explained the potential penalties he now faces. The reaction instantly triggered massive online discussion, particularly because of Eatherly’s already controversial reputation across internet culture.

Long before the shooting, Eatherly had already become notorious online for his livestreams involving racist confrontations with Black pedestrians and strangers in public spaces. His videos often featured him using racial slurs and provoking reactions while framing his content as “free speech.” Critics repeatedly accused him of deliberately harassing people for views and internet attention. Over time, his content led to growing backlash and eventual bans from several streaming platforms.

According to investigators and witness statements, the courthouse confrontation may have been connected to Eatherly’s online behavior itself. Reports indicate the victim and others nearby may have recognized him from his videos before the argument escalated. During a livestream recorded after the shooting, Eatherly claimed he acted in self defense, alleging the man physically attacked him first after warning him against making racist comments. Authorities, however, have not publicly supported those claims and continue treating Eatherly as the primary suspect in the shooting.

The courthouse shooting happened during an already chaotic week for Eatherly. Just days earlier, he had been arrested in Nashville after allegedly refusing to pay a nearly $400 steakhouse bill while livestreaming inside the restaurant. Witnesses accused him of creating a disturbance, shouting racist remarks, and resisting officers when police arrived. He was later charged with theft of services, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest before being released on bond shortly before the courthouse shooting occurred.

As the story spread nationally, the case quickly became larger than just another internet controversy. Community members, legal analysts, and civil rights advocates began debating the growing relationship between online extremism, rage driven livestream culture, and real world violence. Many critics argued that Eatherly’s content represented a dangerous form of monetized harassment where provoking anger and racial hostility became entertainment for online audiences.

Even Eatherly’s attorney publicly acknowledged the disturbing nature of the case. In statements released after taking him on as a client, defense lawyer Jacob Fendley said his office had received hateful messages and threats because of the representation. While defending his obligation to represent all clients equally under the legal system, Fendley also stated plainly that “racism is a terrible thing and it’s a flawed method of thinking.”

Meanwhile, investigators continue piecing together exactly what happened during the confrontation. Authorities have not released full surveillance footage publicly, and prosecutors are still reviewing evidence surrounding the shooting itself. A full bond hearing remains scheduled for later this week as Eatherly continues being held inside Montgomery County Jail.

For many observers, the case now represents a collision between internet culture and reality in its most dangerous form. What once looked like outrageous online performance has transformed into a criminal case involving attempted murder charges, life changing injuries, and the possibility of decades behind bars. The livestreamer who built his identity around provoking conflict now finds himself facing consequences far beyond social media outrage, with his future increasingly determined not by internet audiences, but by Tennessee courts.