Fort Lauderdale detention officer arrested in fatal Coral Springs shooting, police say
FORT LAUDERDALE - A Fort Lauderdale detention officer has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a woman in Coral Springs Tuesday night.
Chase Harder, 21, who has worked as a detention officer for Fort Lauderdale, is facing charges of premeditated murder, and written threats to harm or kill, according to a Coral Springs police report. Police identified the victim as Dayana Hurtado, 24.
According to police, they received multiple 911 calls around 8:30 p.m. about shots fired in the area of the 9200 block of Ramblewood Drive.
One caller said he heard four gunshots and saw a man, later identified as Harder, carrying a child over his shoulder. He said the man ran to a white Mercedes SUV and sped out of the parking lot.
Officers arriving on the scene found Hurtado's body. She had been shot multiple times, according to police.
Investigators were able to obtain the Mercedes license plate number.
Police said around 11 p.m., the child's biological father called officers and said Harder had dropped the child off at his residence. Harder later contacted the police and turned himself in.
According to the police report, the suspect had allegedly texted the victim with threats to kill her.
In a written statement, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department said: "The details surrounding these allegations are very difficult to hear and do not reflect the character and professionalism expected of the men and women of our agency. As a result of this arrest, Harder has been placed on administrative leave without pay pending further investigation. We extend our deepest condolences to those affected by this horrific incident."