Before his arrest this week on attempted murder charges, Dalton Eatherly had already built a reputation online as one of the internet’s more controversial livestream personalities.
Operating under the name “Chud the Builder,” Eatherly became known in fringe streaming communities for confrontational broadcasts, offensive jokes, and repeated accusations of racist behavior.
Clips from his streams regularly circulated on social media, where critics accused him of deliberately provoking outrage for attention and donations.
Over recent months, tensions surrounding Eatherly appeared to grow both online and offline. Several internet creators and activists publicly criticized his content, while supporters defended him as an “edgy” commentator unfairly targeted by opponents.
That controversy escalated dramatically outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Authorities say an altercation between Eatherly and another man erupted near the courthouse entrance before gunfire broke out.
Multiple witnesses reportedly saw the confrontation unfold in public before shots were fired.
Both men survived the shooting and were hospitalized. Soon afterward, police arrested Eatherly and charged him with attempted murder.
The incident immediately drew national attention online, where livestream clips, screenshots, and speculation spread rapidly across Reddit, X, and YouTube communities.
Supporters and critics quickly split over whether the shooting was an act of self-defense or a criminal escalation.
The backlash intensified when a GiveSendGo fundraiser connected to Eatherly reportedly approached $100,000 shortly after the arrest.
Critics condemned the campaign as an example of extremist internet personalities profiting from notoriety, while supporters framed the donations as legal defense assistance.
Investigators continue examining evidence tied to the shooting, including surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts. Court proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks.
Chud GiveSendGo Reads Below
Help the Chud and his family
Dear friends, supporters, and champions of free speech,
My name is Dalton Eatherly, and I’m reaching out with a heavy heart, fighting to protect my family and my business. Just over one year ago, I started DLE Contracting in Clarksville, TN out of sheer necessity. I was fired from my previous contracting job after BLM activists targeted me over words I shared online—jokes and opinions they twisted to end my career. With no other way to support my family and my precious 2-year-old son, I poured everything into this small business working tirelessly to provide for my family and build a future.
But now, that dream is under attack. Not for the quality of my work, but for what I say online. I’ve shared mild jokes, unfiltered thoughts, and yes, sometimes I’ve used the N-word in what I thought was edgy, harmless humor. I know it’s controversial, but it’s my right to speak freely. For that, hundreds of people in my city are slandering my business, spreading lies to tear down everything I’ve worked for. The hate has escalated to a horrifying level: I’ve received death threats so vile they shake me to my core. People threatening to rape and murder me, and even targeting my innocent 2-year-old son with unspeakable cruelty. As a father, hearing these threats against my little boy breaks my heart and keeps me up at night.
In the midst of this nightmare, a spark of hope emerged: I went viral on Instagram, gaining over 23,000 followers who connect with my story, my resilience, and my refusal to be silenced. People are beginning to stand up for American ideals and values. This platform is a chance to turn things around, but right now, I’m broke. The slander has crushed my business’s income, and I’m struggling to keep food on the table, pay our bills, and protect my family from this onslaught. I need your help to bridge this gap and rebuild.
Your donation will go toward:
• Covering basic living expenses to keep my family secure.
• Exploring legal options to fight the slander and protect my family from these vicious threats.
•Find new ways to create a sustainable income for me and my family.
This isn’t just about money—it’s about standing up to a mob trying to destroy not just my family’s future over words, but our rights to free speech as a whole. If you’ve ever felt silenced, attacked, or punished for your beliefs, you know this fight. My business, only a year old, was born from necessity after I was canceled once before, and now I’m facing it again. With your support, I can rise above this hate, provide for my family, and prove that cancel culture won’t break us.
Every dollar, every share, every prayer means the world to us. Thank you for standing with my family in this battle for freedom and survival.
With gratitude,
Dalton Eatherly
Aka: ChudTheBuilder
ChudTheBuilder reportedly shot a man who confronted him outside a courthouse in Clarksville and also accidentally grazed himself during the incident. pic.twitter.com/ZX8WLeJLmM
— streetaddictz.net (@streetaddictz) May 13, 2026
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