Postal worker shot 2 coworkers at Des Moines post office, police say
DES MOINES, IA – A U.S. Postal Service employee faces attempted murder charges after authorities said she shot two coworkers at a Des Moines post office on Nov. 5 before fleeing and being captured nearby minutes later.
Jennifer Pledger, 39, was charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of willful injury causing serious injury and one count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, according to the Des Moines Police Department. She was arrested without incident after the shooting was reported at the city's main post office, and she was being held in the Polk County Jail.
Police were called to the post office around 9:10 a.m. local time after reports of a shooting on the building's second floor, an area that is not open to the public. Des Moines police spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said employees reported an "active killer" inside the building, and officers arrived within about three minutes.
Witnesses and victims told investigators that Pledger opened fire on a group of Postal Service employees, striking a female coworker. Parizek said Pledger then approached the woman as she lay on the floor and fired again before shooting in the direction of other employees as they fled.
Two women, ages 45 and 53, suffered gunshot wounds, while a 55-year-old man was injured in a fall while trying to escape, according to Parizek. All three victims were Postal Service employees and were reported in stable condition.
Federal investigators from Kansas City were en route to assist with the investigation, Parizek said. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also assisting authorities.
Suspect arrested on nearby bike trail
Parizek said Pledger left the building before officers arrived. Witnesses pointed her out to law enforcement, and officers arrested her at about 9:21 a.m. local time on a bike trail east of the post office.
Investigators found a 9 mm handgun near the location where she was taken into custody, according to Parizek. Police said initial reports indicated that 10 to 12 rounds were fired during the shooting.
The incident lasted about 11 minutes from the first 911 call to Pledger's arrest, Parizek said.
Police conducted a sweep of the building to ensure there were no additional victims or suspects. Nearby schools and district facilities were temporarily placed on secure status while officers responded.
"We're secure right now," Parizek told reporters less than an hour after the shooting was reported.
The two women who were shot drove themselves to MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, located across the street from the post office, while the injured man was transported by a police officer, Parizek said.
Investigators have not identified a possible motive in the shooting, Parizek said.
Iowa officials praise swift response, offer support to victims
Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen praised what she called a "rapid" response by law enforcement officers, saying it brought "a decisive end to a dangerous situation."
"Our concern now is for the well-being of those injured and all others impacted by this senseless act of violence in our city," Boesen said in a statement.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, and other elected officials also expressed support for the victims and thanked law enforcement and first responders who quickly responded to the scene.
"My thoughts are with the Iowans affected by this senseless act of violence," Rob Sand, the governor-elect of Iowa, said in a statement on social media. "I will continue to monitor the situation & am thankful for the dedicated first responders who were able to respond quickly & ultimately save lives."