A high-profile incident occurred on May 13, 2026, outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville, Tennessee, involving a well-known local livestreamer. Dalton Eatherly, who operates under the online alias ChudTheBuilder, was taken into custody following a shooting that resulted in injuries to both himself and another individual.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Clarksville Police Department responded to the scene shortly after 1:15 PM. Authorities confirmed that the courthouse was placed on lockdown while the area was secured, though officials stated there was no ongoing threat to the general public.
According to reports from Clarksville Now, the altercation escalated rapidly in the vicinity of the courthouse grounds. District Attorney General Robert Nash confirmed that Eatherly was the individual who opened fire during the confrontation.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Eatherly was transported to a local hospital for treatment of an arm injury. The other individual involved in the altercation was reportedly transported via LifeFlight for medical care, with reports indicating a gunshot wound to the stomach.
Eatherly has gained notoriety in the Nashville area for his livestreaming content, which often involves filming himself in public spaces. He has previously faced criticism for confrontational behavior and the use of inflammatory language during his broadcasts.
In a transcript recorded shortly after the incident, Eatherly claimed he was acting in self-defense. He alleged that a group of people had been mocking him, leading to a physical confrontation where he felt compelled to use his firearm.
"He hit me, started wailing on me, even after I had to defend myself by shooting him," Eatherly stated while being treated by first responders. He further claimed that he had attempted to walk away from the situation before the physical altercation began.
Some observers and critics of the streamer argue that his history of provocative behavior creates a volatile environment that makes such incidents inevitable. Skeptics suggest that Eatherly’s tendency to seek out conflict for content purposes may have played a significant role in the escalation of this specific event.
The incident follows a separate legal issue for Eatherly, who was arrested in Nashville just days prior. In that instance, he faced charges including theft of services and disorderly conduct after allegedly refusing to pay a restaurant bill totaling nearly $400.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has launched a formal investigation into the shooting. As of the latest update, no additional details regarding potential charges or the condition of the victim have been released by law enforcement.
The broader implications of this event highlight the ongoing tension between digital content creation and public safety. As streamers continue to blur the lines between performance and reality, local authorities are increasingly forced to manage the fallout of these public interactions.
The community in Clarksville remains on edge as the investigation proceeds. Residents and local officials are expected to review security protocols around the courthouse to prevent future disruptions of this nature.
This report is based on information provided by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and local media coverage from Clarksville Now. Additional context regarding the streamer's background was sourced from previous public records and social media documentation of his recent legal troubles.