In brief
Dalton Eatherly, a 28-year-old man known for posting racist content online, was arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting another man during a confrontation outside the Montgomery County Courthouse. He faces charges of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment, alongside the attempted murder charge. Eatherly is being held on a $1.25 million bond as he awaits further court proceedings.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dalton Eatherly, who goes by the name Chud the Builder, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after a shooting occurred outside the Montgomery County Courthouse. His bond has been set at $1.25 million.
The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon when Eatherly allegedly got into a verbal altercation that escalated to a physical confrontation, during which he is said to have drawn a firearm and shot the victim multiple times.
Eyewitnesses mentioned there were several innocent bystanders present at the time of the shooting, noting that surveillance footage depicted shots ricocheting off nearby structures. The injured man was airlifted to a Nashville hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and is reported to be in stable condition.
During his arraignment on Friday, prosecutors sought to have Eatherly held without bond, but Judge H. Reid Poland III instead set the high bond reflecting the seriousness of the offenses and potential danger to the public.
Eatherly faces further charges including employing a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment. His background includes prior arrests related to harassment and theft of services.
Commenting on his case, Eatherly’s appointed attorney defended his right to representation amid accusations of racist behavior surrounding his social media presence, where he has been known for provoking confrontations, particularly with people of color.
As Eatherly awaits his next court hearings, further implications regarding his past actions and the nature of the shooting incident will be examined as the legal process unfolds.
