NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dalton Eatherly, known as 'Chud the Builder,' was granted a $1.25 million preliminary bond on Friday after being charged with attempted murder following a shooting outside the Montgomery County Courthouse.
The incident occurred on Wednesday around 1:19 p.m. when Eatherly reportedly engaged in a verbal altercation with another man, later escalating into violence. According to the affidavit filed with the arrest warrant, Eatherly reached for a firearm during the confrontation, resulting in gunfire that struck the other man multiple times. The victim was subsequently transported to a Nashville hospital for emergency surgery and is currently in stable condition, although specific medical details remain undisclosed.
Witnesses reported that several innocent bystanders were nearby during the shooting, and surveillance footage showed a ricochet hitting nearby structures. Notably, there are claims that Eatherly may have inadvertently injured himself during the incident.
During his arraignment, prosecutors argued for Eatherly to be held without bond, but Judge H. Reid Poland III disagreed, setting the bond high due to the number of people present and the gravity of the charges.
Beyond attempted murder, Eatherly faces charges of employing a firearm during a dangerous felony, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon. He has a history of legal issues, including a harassment charge from November and recent counts of theft of services, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest in Nashville.
As a controversial social media figure, Eatherly has garnered attention for his provocative content that often features racial slurs directed at Black individuals. While the police have not confirmed the race of the victim, witnesses have identified him as Black.
Currently held at the Montgomery County jail, Eatherly is scheduled for a full bond hearing on May 21 and a preliminary hearing on May 26.
