Police say Jennifer Christine Pledger, a 39‑year‑old postal employee from West Des Moines, opened fire on the second floor of the United States Postal Service processing and distribution facility at 1165 Second Avenue in Des Moines at about 9:10 a.m. Thursday. The attack injured two female coworkers, ages 45 and 53, and a 55‑year‑old male employee who fell while fleeing.
According to KCCI, officers arrived within three minutes, with the first unit on scene at 9:13 a.m. The suspect left the building before police entered, but was located less than ten minutes later near the Des Moines River, east of the post office, and detained without incident at 9:21 a.m. A 9 mm handgun was recovered at the detention site.
Both women took themselves to MercyOne Medical Center for treatment, while a police patrol officer transported the injured man to the same hospital. All three victims are in stable condition, and none of the injuries are believed to be life‑threatening, CBS News reported.
Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said Pledger faces two counts of attempted murder, two counts of willful injury causing serious injury, and one count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon. The Crimes Against Persons Section is leading the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI and the ATF.
State Rep. Rob Johnson, whose district includes the area, visited the scene and emphasized the importance of safety for residents, workers and first responders. “It’s always a scary moment because what happened can impact people’s lives forever,” Johnson said, according to KCCI.
Mayor Connie Boesen thanked law‑enforcement agencies for their rapid response, calling it “incredibly swift and decisive.” Gov. Kim Reynolds posted that she was in contact with the Department of Public Safety and offered prayers for those affected.
Des Moines Public Schools placed nearby Carver Elementary School, the DMPS Welcome Center and the Central Nutrition Center in a secure status at 9:20 a.m., barring entry and exit. The secure status was lifted at 10:00 a.m. after police confirmed the suspect was in custody, as noted by both CBS News and the Baltimore Sun.
The post office, located less than a mile north of the Iowa Wild’s Education Day game at the nearby arena, remained open to traffic after the incident. Postal Inspection Service officials said the investigation is ongoing and declined to provide further details.
What’s next: The Polk County Court will schedule a hearing for Pledger’s arraignment. Law‑enforcement agencies continue to investigate motive and any potential threats. The Des Moines Police Department will provide updates as the case progresses.
Sources: kcci.com, cbsnews.com, baltimoresun.com
