Hamilton County corrections employee arrested after allegedly shooting at people while off duty

Christopher Harden. Photo provided by Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Christopher Harden. Photo provided by Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

A Hamilton County corrections employee has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault after shooting at two people while off duty, according to a news release.

Hamilton County sheriff's deputies were called to a boat ramp located at 10800 Birchwood Pike in response to a call about "unknown trouble," the news release states.

Once there, they learned shots had been fired, allegedly by 23-year-old Christopher Harden, who had recently been hired by the county's corrections division.

Deputies determined Harden fired shots at a 55-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman, according to the news release.

The firearm he used was his personal weapon.

Harden was arrested and booked into the Hamilton County Jail where he was charged with two counts of aggravated assault.

Sheriff Jim Hammond reviewed the incident and determined there is "sufficient reason to believe Christopher Harden committed the offenses as charged," the news release states. "Therefore, due to his probationary status, Harden's employment with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has been terminated."

Harden was hired on July 22.

"We are committed to ensuring the integrity and character of our agency and its employees and fully understand our personnel are held to a higher standard," Chief Deputy Austin Garrett said in a statement. "We will not tolerate actions or conduct that is contrary to the core values of this agency."

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