A postal worker has been charged with attempted murder after shooting two female colleagues at the main post office in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday morning. Police captured the suspect within minutes, and all three people hurt in the incident are in stable condition with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
Jennifer Christine Pledger, 39, of West Des Moines, is 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 Des Moines police. She is being held at the Polk County Jail. Police said a news conference with more information is expected at 11 am on Friday.
Ten to twelve shots on the second floor
The shooting happened shortly after 9 am on Thursday on the second floor of the main post office at 1165 Second Avenue, an employee-only area not open to the public. Witnesses reported hearing 10 to 12 shots, police said. Pledger stood above one woman she had shot and fired again, according to police, and continued firing as she fled the building.
The victims are two women, aged 45 and 53, who suffered gunshot wounds, and a 55-year-old man who was hurt in a fall while trying to escape. The two women drove themselves to MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, across the street, and the man was taken there by a police officer, according to reports.
Caught in eleven minutes
Police began receiving 911 calls about the shooting around 9:10 am, and officers responded within three minutes. Pledger was detained at 9:21 am along a nearby bike path, without resistance, after witnesses pointed her out. A 9 mm handgun was recovered where she was detained, police said.
A spokesperson for the US Postal Inspection Service said it is investigating the shooting along with local, state and federal law enforcement, including the FBI. Police have received no statements about a motive, Sergeant Paul Parizek said. Nearby Des Moines public schools were placed on a temporary secure status, lifted by 10 am. Second Avenue reopened around 10:45 am, and the post office remains closed.
Sources: Associated Press via MN Current (5 Nov 2026); Des Moines Register via Bob News 24 (5 Nov 2026); KCRG via TLDR Daily News (6 Nov 2026).
