Police identified the victim late Wednesday evening as Maggie Hurdel, 38, of Fort Dodge.

Officers are attempting to locate her husband, Justin Christopher Hurdel, 43. He is believed to be “armed and dangerous,” FDPD Chief Roger Porter said.

At about 2:05 p.m. on Wednesday, officers were called to 526 S. 19th St. for reports of shots fired. When officers arrived, they located Maggie Hurdel with what appeared to be a gunshot wound, according to police. Paramedics attempted life-saving efforts, but she died at the scene.

Justin Hurdel was not at the residence when first responders arrived.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Deputies with the Webster County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the homicide investigation at 526 S. 19th St. on Wednesday afternoon. A woman was shot and killed at that residence. The crime remains under investigation.

“This wasn’t a random act,” said Porter. “They knew each other. Something transpired here today that caused this incident and that’s what we’d like to talk to him about.”

Neighbors like Hayley Skoland, 14, heard gunshots.

“I was inside watching TV and heard a gunshot,” Skoland said.

She thought maybe it was a firework.

“About 10 seconds later a second went off,” Skoland said. “So we came outside and my grandma said someone was shot.”

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
A Division of Criminal Investigation crime scene technician photographs a piece of evidence at a homicide scene at 526 S. 19th St. on Wednesday evening. Earlier in the day, a woman was shot to death at the address.

Neighbor Jayden Louise Johnson said the neighborhood is typically pretty quiet.

“I don’t get who it was,” Johnson said. “That doesn’t happen over here. We hear sirens going down Fifth (Avenue South), but it’s usually a pretty quiet neighborhood.”

Officers searched areas of Fort Dodge throughout the day on Wednesday, trying to locate Justin Hurdel. An extensive search of the South River Road and Avenue B South area was conducted after his vehicle was located.

Porter said that Justin Hurdel is known to local law enforcement.

In July, he was arrested on two different occasions for domestic abuse and assault. He was charged with domestic abuse assault causing injury or mental illness, a serious misdemeanor, after an incident on July 11. He was again charged with domestic abuse assault, a simple misdemeanor, following a July 20 incident.

According to court documents, Justin Hurdel was released on bond for the serious misdemeanor charge on July 30, while the simple misdemeanor charge was continued 180 days.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Hurdel are asked to contact the FDPD by calling 515-573-2323. He is described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes. He is 5 foot, 8 inches tall and approximately 226 pounds.

The Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Webster County Medical Examiner, Fort Dodge Fire Department, Iowa State Patrol and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations are assisting in the investigation.