Woman charged in Iowa post office shooting

Woman charged in Iowa post office shooting Advertisement Updated: 4:44 AM EST Nov 6, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Woman charged in Iowa post office shooting Updated: 4:44 AM EST Nov 6, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ DES MOINES, Iowa — A 39-year-old woman has been charged after police say she opened fire on coworkers at the main post office in Iowa on Thursday morning, injuring two people. Jennifer Christine Pledger, of West Des Moines, faces two counts of attempted murder, two counts of willful injury causing serious injury and one count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, according to police. She has been booked into the Polk County Jail and is being held without bond. Advertisement Evidence, including witness and victim statements, indicates Pledger opened fire into a group of fellow employees on the second floor of the post office, police said. She is accused of shooting one woman, causing her to fall, then standing over her and firing again. Police said she also fired toward other employees as they fled. The shooting was reported around 9:10 a.m. Thursday at 1165 Second Ave., a U.S. Postal Service processing and distribution facility. Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said officers arrived within three minutes as part of a “massive response.” Police later said the first officer arrived at 9:13 a.m. and officers learned the shooter had left the building. Officers detained Pledger without incident at 9:21 a.m. near the Des Moines River, east of the post office. A 9mm handgun was recovered where she was detained. Police said Pledger has not commented on a motive. Two women, ages 45 and 53, were shot. A 55-year-old man was injured in a fall while fleeing the shooting. All three are employees at the facility and are expected to survive. The two women took themselves to MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines, and a police patrol officer took the man there. The Des Moines Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons Section is leading the investigation. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is partnering with police, and the FBI and ATF are assisting. Postal Inspection Service officials said they were “actively investigating” the shooting but declined to provide further details. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, is actively investigating a shooting at a USPS facility in Des Moines, Iowa. A suspect is in custody. We are also aware of injuries to multiple victims. At this time, there is no ongoing risk to the public and no further details can be provided while this is an ongoing investigation.” The post office is less than a mile north of Casey’s Center, where hundreds of schoolchildren were attending an Iowa Wild game for “Education Day.” Officials there said they were in constant communication with authorities and, because of the quick police response, events continued as usual. After police notified them about the shooting around 9:20 a.m., Des Moines Public Schools placed nearby Carver Elementary School, the DMPS Welcome Center and the Central Nutrition Center in “secure status,” meaning no one could enter or leave the buildings. The status was lifted about 30 minutes later. State Rep. Rob Johnson, whose district includes the area, said he learned about the incident through the news and came to the scene to speak with police and gather information. He expressed worry for the residents who use the post office, the employees who work there, and the law enforcement officers investigating the case. “Just hug your loved ones a little bit tighter today,” he said. “Anytime moments like this happen, it sends a ripple effect throughout the community. No matter if you knew the person or you knew someone that worked here. This is still our community.” Community leaders also noted concerns about the mental health of the shooter, suggesting it may be an area to examine as the investigation continues. Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen said she was “thankful for the incredibly rapid and effective response from our Des Moines Police Department and partnering agencies who helped bring a swift and decisive end to a dangerous situation.” “Our concern now is for the well-being of those injured and all others impacted by this senseless act of violence in our city.” Police said Second Avenue is open to traffic. Additional information about the ongoing investigation will be shared as it becomes available. Multiple flights in Europe diverted because of bomb threats after earlier hoaxes Make WLWT a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks 19-year-old to become of Massachusetts' youngest representatives in state history Dramatic video: Mother rescues man drowning 'We brought him home': A WWII soldier killed 82 years ago has finally been laid to rest New video shows NTSB investigators recovering Learjet wreckage pieces from Florida crash crater