Des Moines Post Office Shooting: Postal Worker Charged After Two Coworkers Shot, Three Injured
DES MOINES, Iowa — A 39-year-old U.S. Postal Service employee is facing two attempted-murder charges after police say she shot two female coworkers Thursday morning, November 5, at the main postal processing facility in Des Moines. A third employee was injured while escaping. Authorities said the injuries were not expected to be fatal.
The accused employee, Jennifer Christine Pledger, 39, of West Des Moines, appeared in court Friday, November 6. She is charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of willful injury causing serious injury and intimidation with a dangerous weapon. These are allegations; she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
What happened at the postal facility?
According to Des Moines police and Associated Press reporting, emergency calls began around 9:10 a.m. Thursday after shots were fired on the second floor of the USPS regional sorting center at 1165 Second Avenue. The shooting took place in an employees-only area, not the public service counter.
Police allege Pledger fired multiple shots at coworkers and continued firing as she left the building. Investigators recovered a 9 mm handgun. Officers detained her without resistance at approximately 9:21 a.m. on a nearby bike trail.
Three employees injured; two suffered gunshot wounds
The two people shot were female postal employees, ages 45 and 53. A 55-year-old male employee was hurt in a fall while attempting to escape. All three were treated at a hospital; police reported their injuries were not life-threatening. The two gunshot victims are expected to recover.
To be clear: three people were injured, but only two were shot.
Was anyone specifically targeted?
At a Friday news briefing, police said evidence suggested that one victim may have been specifically targeted. Investigators cautioned that they needed additional evidence to establish that assessment and had not publicly confirmed a motive.
According to court records described by the Associated Press, Pledger appeared before a judge Friday, received appointed counsel and was being held without bond at the time of reporting. Authorities executed a search warrant at a residence believed to be hers.
Nearby schools briefly restricted access
Carver Elementary School and nearby Des Moines Public Schools facilities temporarily entered a secure status after officials were alerted. Those restrictions were lifted after police confirmed the suspect was in custody. Authorities said no members of the public were involved in the shooting.
Federal and local investigation continues
The Des Moines Police Department is investigating alongside the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and other law-enforcement partners. Investigators are examining the sequence of events, the accused employee’s actions and whether the attack was directed at a particular coworker.
The incident has renewed questions about workplace violence prevention, employee safety and emergency response at facilities that employ hundreds of workers.
The Brownstone perspective: Safety at work is not optional
Postal workers perform essential services for families and businesses. They should be able to report to work without fearing violence from anyone, including a coworker.
As the investigation proceeds, the public deserves accurate information about the victims’ conditions, the charges and any evidence of workplace warning signs. Speculation about motive should not be presented as fact.
Brownstone Worldwide will continue following the investigation and court proceedings as verified information becomes available.
Sources
- Associated Press — November 6: Investigators examine whether a coworker was targeted
- Associated Press — November 5: Postal worker charged after shooting
- CBS News — November 5: Two shot, third injured escaping
- KCCI — Local reporting on the Des Moines postal facility shooting
Featured image: Brownstone Worldwide editorial illustration, not a documentary photograph of the incident.
