A controversial streamer known as “Chud the Builder” was involved in a shooting outside a Tennessee courthouse on Wednesday, authorities said.
Dalton Eatherly, who bills himself as a “free speech patriot” online, got into a confrontation with another man at about 1:15 p.m. outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville, District Attorney Robert Nash told Newsweek in a statement.
“The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Clarksville Police Department acted swiftly to secure the scene, lock down the courthouse and take one individual into custody,” Nash said. “There is no ongoing threat to the public.”
A preliminary investigation reveals Eatherly, 28, and unidentified male had a confrontation that led to gunfire, with both men being taken to a hospital for treatment, according to Nash, whose office serves both Montgomery and Robertson counties.
“The District Attorneys General Office is reviewing the facts of the investigation by law enforcement for formal criminal charges,” Nash said. “We will provide further updates as the case progresses.”
The incident erupted after the unidentified man punched Eatherly, one unnamed witness told ClarksvilleNow.com.
Nash told the site that Eatherly opened fire during the confrontation and appeared to have shot himself in the arm. He was taken into custody and removed from the scene via ambulance.
The unidentified man, whose condition was not immediately released had been taken to a hospital in Nashville via helicopter, ClarksvilleNow.com reported.
The incident occurred just days after Eatherly was arrested on May 9 for allegedly harassing patrons at a restaurant in Nashville, where he reportedly shouted racial slurs before walking out on a $371 bill. He was later charged with theft of services and disorderly conduct, WZTV reported.
Police said Eatherly, who previously filmed racially charged content on social media, had been asked not to livestream at the steakhouse. He was released from custody after posting $5,000 bond, according to the outlet.
Eatherly’s prior antics in Nashville include the use of racial slurs against Black residents while challenging them to fight back. He claimed to be accompanied by the Clarksville Police Department during on confrontation in November, according to ClarksvilleNow.com.
“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,” department officials said on November 13. “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 identifies himself as a “free speech patriot” on X, where he has more than 219,000 followers. The profile is littered with derogatory terms for minorities and videos of live confrontations.
“It’s cute that people assume that someone who comes up to me threatening my life will walk away with theirs,” he posted on X late last month.
Eatherly had been scheduled to appear in court Wednesday as a defendant in a civil case. He’s being sued by Midland Credit Management Inc., ClarksvilleNow.com reported.
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