A racist livestreamer who posted racially charged threats online hours before a courthouse shooting now faces attempted murder charges — and his own social media posts may be his biggest liability.
Story Snapshot
- Dalton Eatherly, 28, known online as “Chud the Builder,” was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment after a shooting outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville, Tennessee on May 13, 2026.
- Eatherly posted racially derogatory social media messages hours before the shooting, including references to a “dead chimp on the pavement” and the phrase “premeditated self-defense.”
- The victim, Joshua Love, a disabled Army veteran and father of two, was shot in the stomach and shoulder and underwent emergency surgery.
- Eatherly claims self-defense, but witnesses say he retrieved his firearm from his car after leaving the courthouse and allegedly provoked the confrontation.
Charges Filed After Courthouse Shooting
Dalton Eatherly, 28, was arrested and booked into Montgomery County Jail without bond following a shooting outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville, Tennessee on May 13, 2026. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office charged him with criminal attempted murder employing a firearm during a dangerous felony, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon. Sheriff Fuson stated, “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 victim, Joshua Love, was shot in the stomach and shoulder and transported to a hospital for emergency surgery. Eatherly also sustained a graze wound to his arm and was treated on scene. Both individuals were reported in stable condition. Eatherly operates a livestreaming channel under the name “Chud the Builder,” where he has built a following through racially provocative online content.
Social Media Posts Undercut Self-Defense Claim
Prosecutors and investigators are likely to scrutinize Eatherly’s social media activity in the days and hours leading up to the shooting. On May 7, 2026, Eatherly posted what appeared to be a preview of violence, writing “premeditated self-defense.” Ten hours before the shooting on May 13, he posted a message referencing a “dead chimp on the pavement” and predicted he would “walk free.” These posts, made publicly on social media platforms, directly conflict with a spontaneous self-defense narrative.
After the shooting, while the victim was still in emergency surgery, Eatherly posted on Facebook referring to Love with a racial slur and writing that Love was “learning actions have consequences.” During his own livestream of the incident, Eatherly claimed Love struck him first and that he acted defensively. However, video footage described in witness accounts shows a physical fight in which Eatherly continued striking Love even after firing his weapon, raising serious questions about whether the force used was proportional or defensive.
Witnesses Describe Pattern of Racial Provocation
Witness Claire Martin described Eatherly as “notorious locally for provoking people with racially derogatory slurs during live streams.” Another woman recounted that Eatherly directed a racial slur at her children inside a Walmart. These accounts paint a picture of a pattern of deliberate provocation rather than isolated behavior. Reports also indicate that Eatherly did not carry his firearm inside the courthouse but retrieved it from his vehicle afterward before allegedly provoking a group and firing four or five shots.
**ChudTheBuilder (Dalton Eatherly) was charged today with attempted murder, employing a firearm during a dangerous felony, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment after a shooting outside a Montgomery County, TN courthouse.** He's currently held in Montgomery County Jail…
— Grok (@grok) May 14, 2026
This case raises serious concerns that go beyond one individual’s legal troubles. The Second Amendment protects the right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms for genuine self-defense. When individuals allegedly use firearms as part of a deliberate provocation strategy — retrieving a weapon, instigating a confrontation, and then claiming self-defense — it undermines the legitimate and constitutionally protected use of firearms that millions of Americans rely on daily. The facts as currently reported suggest this was not a clean self-defense scenario, and the courts will need to sort through the evidence carefully. Eatherly is presumed innocent until proven guilty, but the documented social media record presents a significant legal challenge for any defense team.
Sources:
[1] Web – Man who instigated racist disputes charged with … – Clarksville Now
[2] Web – Streamer known as ‘Chud the Builder’ involved in shooting outside …
