Woman shoots two coworkers at Des Moines post office

A postal employee shot two female coworkers at the main post office in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday morning.

Jennifer Christine Pledger, 39, of West Des Moines, is facing attempted murder charges for the incident. Police reported that the shooting occurred on the second floor of the building, in an area not open to the public. Witnesses heard between 10 and 12 gunshots during the attack.

Three employees were injured. Two women, ages 45 and 53, were shot. A male employee, 55, was injured when he fell while trying to escape. Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek stated that none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening. All three victims were in stable condition at the hospital.

Pledger stood above one of the women she had shot and fired again, according to police. She continued firing as she fled the building. Officers received calls about the shooting around 9:10 a.m. They responded within three minutes. Pledger was captured at 9:21 a.m. near a bike path without resistance. A 9 mm handgun was recovered at the scene where she was detained.

The post office is located just north of downtown Des Moines. It sits across the street from one of the city’s main hospitals. Des Moines Public Schools temporarily barred entry and exit at a nearby elementary school, welcome center, and nutrition center. Police lifted those restrictions after confirming the suspect was in custody.

Pledger is charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of willful injury causing serious injury, and intimidation. A spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service confirmed in an email that the agency is investigating the shooting with local, state, and federal law enforcement. The Associated Press attempted to reach possible relatives and an attorney for Pledger but had not received information immediately available.

Gov. Kim Reynolds said she was in contact with the Department of Public Safety regarding the event. She posted online that officials were monitoring the situation. Reynolds added that prayers were with everyone involved and expressed gratitude for the immediate response by law enforcement.