Livestreamer ‘Chud the Builder’ charged with attempted murder, claims self-defense after shooting in Tennessee

Livestreamer Dalton Eatherly, known online as “Chud the Builder,” is being held on a $1.25 million bond after being charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting outside a Tennessee courthouse. He has said that he acted in self-defense.

The 28-year-old livestreamer sustained a gunshot wound that was reportedly self-inflicted during the incident and allegedly shot another man on Wednesday outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville. He was arrested and charged with attempted murder, employing a firearm during a dangerous felony, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.

During Eatherly’s arraignment on Friday, Judge Reid Poland III said there was a need to “protect the public interest and public safety” because the shooting occurred in a public location, using that as justification for the high bond amount. The amount, however, sparked criticisms of bias, with social media pointing out that the same court gave a black Nashville man a $250,000 bond last year for a first-degree murder charge.

Eatherly is known for livestreams in which he confronts black people in racially provocative encounters as a form of “rage bait” while defending it on free speech grounds. Following the shooting, h livestreamed himself explaining the shooting to first responders, detailing that he approached a man who was pointing and laughing at him. The man told Eatherly to walk away and threatened to punch him.

According to the livestream comments, the man proceeded to run back up to Eatherly, after which Eatherly pulled out a firearm and fired.

Tennessee is a stand your ground state, allowing individuals to use deadly force if they reasonably believe they are in imminent danger. However, the defense may not apply if the person using force provoked the confrontation or consented to the violence, according to The Tennessean.

Eatherly’s arrest came just days after a separate arrest in Nashville, where he was charged with theft, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. Police allege Eathrly refused to pay a $371.55 restaurant bill at the Omni hotel after the restaurant kicked him out for livestreaming.