Influencer 'Chud the Builder' detained after courthouse shooting incident in Tennessee

'Chud the Builder' influencer Dalton Eatherly was detained after a Tennessee courthouse shooting incident

An online personality known as “Chud the Builder” is at the center of a major investigation in Tennessee after a violent confrontation outside a courthouse reportedly escalated into gunfire, leaving two people injured.

Authorities identified the influencer as Dalton Eatherly, 28, who was detained Wednesday following the incident outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville.

According to local law enforcement and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, deputies responded to reports of shots fired outside the courthouse during the afternoon. Officials say the situation initially started as a physical confrontation between Eatherly and another adult male before escalating into a shooting.

Both individuals involved sustained gunshot wounds during the incident. One victim was transported to Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital, while another was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville for emergency treatment. Authorities later confirmed both individuals were in stable condition.

District Attorney General Robert Nash told local media that preliminary findings suggest Eatherly may have fired a weapon during the confrontation and may also have suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the arm amid the chaos.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said courthouse deputies acted quickly to contain the scene and prevent further violence. Officials emphasized that the rapid response likely stopped the situation from becoming significantly worse in a crowded public area.

Investigators are now reviewing surveillance footage, witness accounts, and physical evidence to determine exactly how the altercation escalated into gunfire.

The courthouse incident comes shortly after another legal issue involving Eatherly in Nashville. According to prior reports, he was arrested after allegedly refusing to pay nearly $400 at a steakhouse, with the situation reportedly escalating into disruptive behavior inside the restaurant.

Authorities said he was charged in that case with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and theft of services before being released on bond.

🔥🚨BREAKING: Streamer ChudTheBuilder has been charged with attempted murder, employing a firearm aggravated assault and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.

Chud is currently facing over 25 years in prison and is being held in the Montgomery County Jail in Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/ekbcIcRGB1

— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) May 14, 2026

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the shooting investigation remains ongoing and that prosecutors are reviewing evidence before deciding whether criminal charges will be filed.

Investigators are focusing on what triggered the confrontation outside the courthouse, how the altercation escalated into gunfire, the actions of both individuals involved, and whether one of the injuries was self-inflicted.

No final legal determination has yet been announced.