A Tennessee courthouse turned into a crime scene on Wednesday after a controversial livestream personality, accused of repeatedly harassing strangers online, allegedly shot a man during a confrontation that unfolded in public view.
According to the New York Post, authorities said Dalton Eatherly, a 28-year-old internet figure known online as “Chud the Builder,” was involved in a shooting near the Montgomery County courthouse in Clarksville around 1:15 p.m., local officials said.
Montgomery County District Attorney General Robert Nash said Eatherly allegedly opened fire during an altercation outside the courthouse.
The unidentified victim was airlifted by LifeFlight and remains in stable condition, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Eatherly also suffered what officials described as a “graze” wound. Nash said investigators believe the livestreamer may have accidentally shot himself during the chaos.
The online personality later admitted on a livestream that he fired the weapon, while insisting he acted in self-defense.
“He hit me, he started wailing on me, even after I had to defend myself by shooting him, he’s still wailing on me,” Eatherly told emergency responders during the broadcast.
At another point in the livestream, Eatherly blamed “rich people” for allegedly encouraging violence against him.
“They’re all publicly saying ‘if y’all assault this guy, we’ll make you rich’. The f**k,” he said.
“I wish he had just walked away, man,” he added.
Authorities detained Eatherly at the scene before transporting him to a nearby hospital, where officials said he was in stable condition.
The shooting happened the same day Eatherly was scheduled to appear in court for a civil case involving a debt and credit collector, according to court records cited by ClarksvilleNow.
The livestreamer has drawn attention online for inflammatory videos in which he confronts strangers while shouting racial slurs and making offensive remarks.
Just days earlier, Eatherly had been arrested following an incident at a Nashville steakhouse. Authorities said he allegedly harassed patrons by yelling racial slurs before refusing to pay a roughly $400 bill after finishing his meal.
He was charged with theft of services, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest in connection with that incident.
Investigators have not yet announced additional charges related to Wednesday’s shooting.
