Man accused of killing fellow construction worker with crowbar appears in court

Jonathan Schuler denied bond

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Jonathan Schuler remains behind bars after he allegedly killed a co-worker Wednesday at a construction site in Deerfield Beach.

Schuler, 32, faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of Arcenio Alvarez, also 32.

Schuler didn't speak in court Thursday as a Broward County judge found probable cause to hold Schuler.

The killing was reported just before 9 a.m. Wednesday at an office building at 700 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Construction crews were in the middle of a demolition project on the second floor when detectives said Schuler used a crowbar to repeatedly hit the victim on the head.

Alvarez died at Broward Health North shortly after the unprovoked attack, authorities said.

Deputies said co-workers chased Schuler, who jumped down a construction chute in a failed attempt to get away.

Schuler has two previous arrests in Broward County.

He was apparently supposed to work at the construction site for only the day. Authorities said the day laborer might not have even known the victim.

A defense attorney claims that Schuler has injuries of his own, but didn't elaborate.

Schuler was ordered held without bond.


About the Author:

Terrell Forney joined Local 10 News in October 2005 as a general assignment reporter. He was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, but a desire to escape the harsh winters of the north brought him to South Florida.