Full Breakdown
Dalton Eatherly Charged with Attempted Murder After Courthouse Shooting
5/16/2026, 1:50:57 AM
The Shooting Outside Montgomery County Courthouse
On the afternoon of May 13, 2026, Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies and Clarksville police responded to a disturbance outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville, Tennessee. According to an affidavit, Eatherly and Joshua Fox engaged in a verbal argument that escalated when Eatherly “turned his body in a bladed stance … and reached for his firearm located in his right jacket pocket.” A physical altercation followed, during which Eatherly fired a handgun, striking Fox in the stomach and himself in the arm. Fox was air-lifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for emergency surgery; Eatherly received treatment at Vanderbilt of Clarksville Hospital before being booked into the Montgomery County Jail. Surveillance video captured a ricocheting bullet hitting nearby walls, and several bystanders were present at the scene.
Prior Nashville Incident
Four days earlier, on May 9, Eatherly was arrested in Nashville after a confrontation at a Broadway restaurant. The affidavit reports that staff asked him to stop livestreaming his actions; he responded with “racial statements, yelling, screaming and otherwise creating a scene.” When officers attempted to take him into custody, he “pulled his arm away” but was otherwise taken without incident. He was charged with theft of services, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.
Timeline of Key Events
- May 9 – Nashville arrest; charges of theft of services, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest.
- May 13 – Courthouse shooting; injuries to Fox and Eatherly; livestream of aftermath.
- May 15 – Bond hearing; bond set at $1.2 million.
- May 21 – Additional bond hearing scheduled.
- May 26 – Preliminary hearing for the courthouse case.
Charges, Bond, and Legal Proceedings
Eatherly now faces four felony counts: attempted murder, employing a firearm during a dangerous felony, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon. The judge set his bond at $1.2 million, citing the “number of lives that were put in danger outside the courthouse” and Eatherly’s existing bond status as justification.
Official Judicial Rationale
The presiding judge emphasized public safety concerns, noting that the high bond reflects the potential threat to bystanders and the seriousness of discharging a firearm in a public space adjacent to a courthouse.
Criticism of Livestreaming and Public Safety
Law-enforcement officials highlighted the disruptive impact of Eatherly’s livestreaming, both in Nashville and after the courthouse shooting. Critics argue that real-time broadcasting of violent encounters can endanger witnesses, impede investigations, and encourage reckless behavior.
On-the-Ground Account
The affidavit describes the altercation as beginning with a “verbal argument” that turned physical, leading to the gunfire. Bystanders reported hearing the shots and seeing the bullet strike walls, corroborated by surveillance footage.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The available sources rely primarily on the affidavit and police statements; no independent eyewitness testimony or alternative narratives have been published. Details regarding the motive behind the confrontation and the extent of any prior threats remain unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He hit me. Started wailing on me,” — Dalton Eatherly, officer interview
- “Even after I had to defend myself by shooting him.” — Dalton Eatherly, officer interview
- “When the restaurant realized he had been live streaming they asked him to stop his actions,” — Affidavit
- “He became disruptive and started making racial statements, yelling, screaming and otherwise creating a scene at the location.” — Affidavit
- “I'm not paying if you are kicking me out,” — Dalton Eatherly, restaurant confrontation
- “Mr. Eatherly turned his body in a bladed stance towards Mr. Fox and reached for his firearm located in his right jacket pocket. Thereafter, a physical altercation ensued,” — Affidavit
What’s Next
Eatherly’s next court appearance is set for May 21 for a further bond hearing, followed by a preliminary hearing on May 26. The proceedings will determine whether the felony charges proceed to trial and whether additional security measures will be implemented around the Montgomery County Courthouse.
