Dalton Eatherly, 28, posts video of himself as "Chud the Builder," directing racial slurs at black people and challenging them to fight him. He carries a gun and says his intent is to kill someone and get away with it: "Series finale is dead chimp on the pavement and you monkeys rioting when I walk free," he posted online days ago. But when the opportunity presented itself, it didn't go as planned: he reportedly shot himself in the arm and was charged with attempted murder, employing a firearm during dangerous felony, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.
The incident occurred outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville, Tennessee, on Wednesday, according to police. A man punched him and Easterly opened fire, with "three to four shots" described by a witness. Deputies intervened and took both men into custody. Both men received gunshot wounds, and both are reported to be in stable condition.
In a statement, Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson wrote: "Thanks to the quick actions of our courthouse deputies, this situation was likely kept from becoming much worse. Their dedication to keeping the courthouse safe was clearly demonstrated today."
It's not Eatherly's first rodeo: he was booked on a harassment charge last year, charged in Nashville days ago with disorderly conduct, and according to Clarksville Now has falsely represented himself as a law enforcement officer in one of his posted confrontations.
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."
Previously: Jury acquits delivery driver who shot YouTube 'prankster' harassing him in mall
