Three injured in shooting at Des Moines main post office; employee charged with attempted murder

A shooting at the main post office in Des Moines, Iowa, at about 9:10 a.m. local time on Thursday, November 5, left two employees with gunshot wounds and a third hurt in a fall while fleeing; none of the injuries is believed to be life-threatening. A 39-year-old female postal employee was later arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder. The post office, at 1165 Second Avenue north of downtown, was closed for the day. (File photo: downtown Des Moines.)

More than 10 shots heard; officers arrived in 3 minutes

Des Moines police spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said police received multiple 911 calls at about 9:10 a.m. reporting shots fired on the second floor, with witnesses reporting 10 to 12 shots. Officers arrived within about three minutes. The second floor is a non-public employee work area. The two women who were shot drove themselves to MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center across the street; the injured man was taken there by an officer. All three victims are postal employees and are in stable condition.

Suspect charged with two counts of attempted murder

The suspect is 39-year-old postal employee Jennifer Pledger, who reportedly left the building before officers arrived and was arrested on a nearby bike path without resistance. Police said the motive is not yet known and it is unclear whether the suspect knew the victims. According to the Des Moines Register, Pledger 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, and is held at the Polk County Jail. The victims are a 45-year-old woman, a 53-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man.

Governor monitoring situation; post office closed

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said on social media she is in contact with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, that the suspect is in custody and that the investigation is ongoing. The post office was closed for the day, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is assisting Des Moines police. Police stressed that the initial injury assessment is a police assessment and the final outcome rests with the hospital.

(Sources: The Associated Press, Des Moines Register, KCCI, KCRG, November 5, 2026.)