Livestreamer known for posting racist content faces attempted murder charge after shooting outside courthouse

Livestreamer Known for Racist Content Charged with Attempted Murder Following Tennessee Courthouse Shooting

Livestreamer known for posting racist content – On Wednesday, a controversial livestreamer who gained notoriety for uploading videos featuring racial slurs directed at Black individuals and other minority groups now faces multiple criminal charges, including attempted murder, after a shooting incident occurred outside a courthouse in Tennessee. According to the Tennessee District Attorney General’s Office, the event unfolded during a heated exchange between Dalton Eatherly, who streams under the alias “Chud the Builder,” and an unidentified man. The confrontation led to gunfire, with both participants sustaining injuries and transported to nearby medical facilities. As of early Wednesday evening, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the victims were in stable condition.

Details of the Confrontation and Charges

The altercation, which escalated quickly, resulted in Eatherly being detained by criminal investigators. Officials stated that he was charged with attempted murder, employing a firearm during a dangerous felony, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment involving a deadly weapon. The 28-year-old has been placed in Montgomery County jail and will remain in custody until his arraignment. While details of the incident remain unclear, Eatherly’s livestream following the event provides insight into the situation.

“Chud the Builder,” a livestreamer known for his racially charged content, is in custody after a confrontation with a man that “resulted in gunfire” in front of a Tennessee courthouse on Wednesday, authorities said. He described walking past a group of people who were “laughing” and “pointing at me.” Eatherly said he was told to walk away by an unidentified man in the group, who then approached him, declaring, “I have PTSD.”

“He said, ‘You start saying all that chimp out s**t to me and ‘imma hit you,’ and he hit me, he started whaling on me, even after I had to defend myself by shooting him,” Eatherly recounted in the video. The streamer frequently uses the term “chimpanzee” to refer to Black people in his online content, a pattern that has drawn criticism in the past.

Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson emphasized the seriousness of the incident in a statement, stating, “It’s unfortunate that incidents like this are happening in our community. This kind of violence won’t be tolerated, and our office will work to make sure those responsible are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” The sheriff’s office is currently investigating the event, and officials have not yet disclosed the full sequence of events or the motive behind the shooting.

Previous Incidents Involving Eatherly

Days before the courthouse shooting, Eatherly was involved in another incident that led to his arrest. According to an affidavit, he was kicked out of a restaurant on Saturday and arrested in Nashville the following day for theft of services, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. The document notes that Eatherly had been asked by staff to stop live-streaming and avoid causing disturbances, but he continued to do so despite the request.

“He became disruptive and started making racial statements, yelling, screaming” and created a scene, the affidavit said. Eatherly then allegedly claimed, “I’m not paying if you are kicking me out,” and refused to cover the $371.55 cost of his meal. Prosecutors in that case described him as a livestreamer “who filmed content, including racially charged content” on social media, the AP reported.

The incident at the restaurant highlights a recurring pattern of behavior that has led to Eatherly’s legal troubles. His use of racial slurs and confrontational conduct have been documented in multiple instances, raising concerns about his influence and the potential for his actions to incite conflict.

Legal Proceedings and Civil Case

On Wednesday morning, a civil hearing was scheduled at the Montgomery County Courthouse in a case between Eatherly and Midland Credit Management Inc. The AP reported that the streamer allegedly owed $3,300 to the credit company. It is unclear whether Eatherly attended the 9 a.m. hearing before the shooting occurred.

Following his arrest, Eatherly was released on a $5,000 bond, as per a judge’s order. CNN is currently working to determine if he has legal representation to navigate the upcoming court proceedings. The exact timeline for his appearance in court remains uncertain, though the sheriff’s office is conducting an investigation to clarify the circumstances of the shooting.

Officials have not yet released a detailed account of the victims, but a witness who observed the other man being loaded into an ambulance described him as Black. This detail adds to the narrative of racial tension, though the connection between Eatherly’s past behavior and the current incident is still under scrutiny. The Tennessee District Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the evidence to establish the sequence of events and the roles of those involved.

Context of Racial Tensions and National Discourse

The shooting has sparked discussions about the broader implications of Eatherly’s actions. The US government appears to have a clear stance on White nationalist groups, with officials in Tennessee linking the incident to the growing visibility of such ideologies in public spaces. While Eatherly’s videos often feature individual expressions of racism, his presence on livestream platforms has amplified these views, drawing attention to the impact of digital content on real-world violence.

Authorities are also examining whether Eatherly’s use of a firearm was justified under the circumstances. The fact that he was seen walking on a street shortly after the shooting and was apprehended without further incidents suggests that the altercation may have been the immediate trigger for the gun discharge. However, the sheriff’s office has not yet provided a full explanation of the confrontation.

As the legal process unfolds, the case against Eatherly could set a precedent for how racist speech is connected to acts of violence. The Montgomery County Courthouse has become a focal point for this investigation, with officials committed to ensuring justice for the victims and accountability for the perpetrator. The community is now watching closely, hoping for clarity and resolution in the wake of the incident.