The search for internet fame can be a dark road, but for one Tennessee streamer, that road ended with a hail of gunfire in the middle of a busy public plaza.
WHAT HAPPENED
Dalton Eatherly, 28, was at the Montgomery County Courthouse for a debt collection case. While outside, a physical fight broke out between Eatherly and another man. The situation escalated instantly when Eatherly allegedly pulled a gun and opened fire in broad daylight.
The shooting sent people diving for cover across Millennium Plaza. In the chaos, both Eatherly and the other man were hit by bullets, with Eatherly reportedly shooting himself in the arm during the struggle. Courthouse deputies rushed out to disarm the streamer and provide medical aid before the situation could get worse.
On Friday, a judge set a preliminary bond in the millions to keep Eatherly behind bars. He is facing several serious felonies, including attempted murder and reckless endangerment, with the court noting that his history of seeking out confrontations makes him a major risk to everyone around him.
FACT BOX — What the evidence shows
- Millions: The total bond amount set to keep the streamer from returning to the streets.
- 3 to 4: The number of shots fired during the midday confrontation.
- 28 years old: The age of the suspect who allegedly shot himself while aiming at another.
- $3,300: The amount of credit card debt Eatherly was in court for when the fight started.
- May 21: The date of the next full hearing to decide if he stays in jail.
THE BIGGER QUESTION
When does "free speech" become a deadly weapon? Eatherly built a following by pushing people to their breaking point for views, but this time the "rage-bait" resulted in real blood on the pavement. This case forces us to look at the dangerous world of streamers who treat the public like characters in a video game until someone finally snaps.
THE OTHER SIDE
Lawyers for Eatherly are expected to argue that he was acting in self-defense after being punched during the initial argument. They claim that he has a right to express himself in public, even if his words are offensive, and that he only used his weapon when he felt his life was in danger. However, given the judge's focus on the "seriousness" of the felonies and the number of people present in the courtyard, the self-defense argument faces a very uphill battle.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
Eatherly remains in the Montgomery County Jail as he waits for a full bond hearing next week. If he can't come up with the massive cash amount, he will stay locked up while the legal system decides if his "content" has finally crossed the line into a life sentence. The community is left on high alert as popular commentators warn that this was a tragedy waiting to happen.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- What exactly was said in the seconds before the first shot was fired?
- Will the second man involved in the fight face any charges for his role?
- How many other "confrontations" did Eatherly film that haven't been seen by police yet?