Two people were hurt in a shooting next to the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville in a confrontation involving Dalton Eatherly, aka "Chud the Builder."

Dalton Eatherly, aka “Chud the Builder,” after shots were fired outside Montgomery County Courthouse on May 13, 2026. (Contributed)

Updated with details, background, photos.

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A man known locally for taking videos of himself using racial slurs against Black people, trying to provoke a response, was involved in a shooting Wednesday afternoon outside the Montgomery County Courts Center.

At about 1:15 p.m., Dalton Eatherly, aka “Chud the Builder,” got in a confrontation in Millennium Plaza. One unnamed witness said a man punched Eatherly, and another said three to four shots were fired.

District Attorney General Robert Nash told Clarksville Now that Eatherly was the one who opened fire, and Eatherly appears to have shot himself in the arm in the process. Responding deputies took both men into custody.

Eatherly was taken to Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital by ambulance for treatment. The victim was flown by LifeFlight helicopter to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. He was in stable condition Wednesday afternoon.

Scene after shots fired outside Montgomery County Courthouse on May 13, 2026. (Jazmin Logan)

The DA’s Office said in a statement that it is reviewing the facts of the investigation by law enforcement to determine formal criminal charges.

The courthouse was locked down when the shooting took place.

“Thanks to the quick actions of our courthouse deputies, this situation was likely kept from becoming much worse,” Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson said in a statement. “Their dedication to keeping the courthouse safe was clearly demonstrated today.”

The suspect’s hat following the shooting outside the Montgomery County Courthouse on May 13, 2026. (Enrique Hernandez, Dash 10 Media)

Due to the ongoing investigation, these county government buildings will be closed Thursday:

Historic Courthouse, 1 Millennium Plaza

Courts Center, 2 Millennium Plaza

Montgomery County Annex Building, 121 S. Third Street

For online services, visit the Montgomery County Government website.

Who is Dalton Eatherly, ‘Chud the Builder’?

Dalton Levi Eatherly, booked on Nov. 18, 2025. (MCSO)

Eatherly has been trying to get social media attention by taking video of himself using racial slurs against Black people, challenging them to fight him.

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.”

Eatherly was arrested on Nov. 18, 2025, in Clarksville on a charge of harassment. That case was bound over to the grand jury on April 8, according to court records.

He was arrested in Nashville this week, during a May 10 incident, on charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and theft of $1,000 or less, according to Davidson County court records.

Eatherly was supposed to make an appearance in General Sessions Court Wednesday as the defendant in a civil case, being sued by Midland Credit Management Inc.

Jazmin Logan and Christian Brown contributed to this report.

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