Jennifer Christine Pledger, a 39-year-old resident of West Des Moines, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and other felony offenses after allegedly opening fire on coworkers at the main U.S. Postal Service processing facility in Des Moines on Thursday morning. The incident, which occurred on the second floor of the building at 1165 Second Ave., resulted in injuries to three employees.
Pledger faces multiple felony counts
In addition to the attempted murder charges, Pledger faces two counts of willful injury causing serious injury and one count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon. She is currently being held without bond at the Polk County Jail. According to police, Pledger did not provide a statement regarding a motive for the shooting.
Did You Know? The Des Moines police response was rapid; officers arrived at the facility at 9:13 a.m., just three minutes after the initial report of shots fired. Pledger was apprehended near the Des Moines River by 9:21 a.m., with authorities recovering a 9mm handgun at the scene of her arrest.
I’m in contact with the Department of Public Safety regarding a shooting at the Main Post Office in Des Moines. The suspected shooter is in custody and the investigation is ongoing. We are monitoring the situation and our prayers are with everyone involved. Grateful for the…
Impact on Facility Employees and Nearby Schools
The shooting prompted an emergency response involving local, state, and federal agencies, including the FBI and the ATF. Two female employees, aged 45 and 53, sustained gunshot wounds and transported themselves to MercyOne Medical Center. A 55-year-old male employee was also hospitalized after suffering injuries during a fall while attempting to flee the second-floor area. All three are expected to survive.
The violence caused a temporary disruption for surrounding institutions. Des Moines Public Schools placed Carver Elementary School, the DMPS Welcome Center, and the Central Nutrition Center in a “secure status” starting at 9:20 a.m. to prevent anyone from entering or leaving. The district lifted these restrictions at 10:00 a.m. after receiving confirmation from police that the suspect was in custody.
I’m closely monitoring reports of the shooting at the USPS facility in Des Moines. My prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this tragedy. Grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders on the scene.https://t.co/MSdJ6W5CUX
Expert Insight: The proximity of the sorting facility to nearby school district buildings underscores the importance of the rapid inter-agency coordination reported by local officials.
Ongoing Investigation
The Des Moines Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons Section is leading the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. While officials have confirmed the suspect is in custody and there is no ongoing risk to the public, they have declined to provide further details regarding the specific circumstances leading up to the shooting. Investigators continue to process evidence from the facility, which remains a central focus of the partnership between local and federal authorities.
Injured employees recover as investigators collaborate
What is the current condition of the victims?
All three victims, two women and one man, are employees at the facility and are expected to survive.
Were any students or members of the public harmed?
No students or members of the public were injured. While nearby schools were placed in a “secure status” as a precaution, the facility’s shooting was contained to an employee-only area on the second floor.
Im following news of the shooting this morning at the Main Post Office in Des Moines Gr8ful to law enforcement + first responders who acted quickly 2 detain the shooter + treat the injured Barbara & I are praying for all those impacted
What is the status of the investigation?
The investigation is active and ongoing, with the Des Moines Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, and the ATF collaborating on the case. Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the shooting.
What additional information will authorities provide as the judicial process for the suspect moves forward?
I'm hearing reports of the situation at the post office in Des Moines. DMPD has indicated that there were no life-threatening injuries. My thoughts are with the Iowans affected by this senseless act of violence. I will continue to monitor the situation & am thankful for the…
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