CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – After a fatal shooting, a witness saw Chase Harder carrying a child over his shoulder while running to a white Mercedes-Benz sports utility vehicle to flee on Tuesday night in Broward County, police said.
A search for Harder — a detention officer with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department — ensued after the murder on Tuesday night at a two-story building, at 9267 Ramblewood Drive, in the MAA Coral Springs rental community, according to police.
The child’s biological father reported Harder dropped off the child with him shortly after 11 p.m., according to the Coral Springs Police Department. Detectives announced shortly after 12:35 a.m., on Wednesday, that Harder, a murder suspect, was in custody.
Detective Ali Adamson, a spokeswoman for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, released a statement reporting the city had hired Harder in 2022.
“As a result of this arrest, Harder has been placed on administrative leave without pay pending further investigation,” Adamson wrote.
Deputies held Harder at the Broward County main jail on Wednesday afternoon in Fort Lauderdale without bond. He is facing charges of premeditated murder and one count of written threats to kill or do bodily injury.
Detectives were asking anyone with information about the case to call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
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Update - 12:33am: The suspect has been taken into custody.
— Coral Springs Police (@CoralSpringsPD) August 16, 2023
COMPLETE COVERAGE
Watch the 11 p.m. report on Tuesday
Watch the 6 a.m. report on Wednesday
Watch the 9 a.m. report on Wednesday
Watch the 12 p.m. report on Wednesday
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