DES MOINES — A 39-year-old West Des Moines postal employee faces five felony charges after police say she opened fire on coworkers inside the main U.S. Postal Service facility in Iowa’s capital city Thursday morning, November 5, 2026, leaving two women wounded by gunfire and a man injured while fleeing.
Jennifer Christine Pledger (pictured at top) was arrested after the shooting at the Des Moines Main Post Office, 1165 Second Avenue, just north of downtown. Police said the shooting occurred in an employee-only area on the second floor.
Investigators allege Pledger shot a female employee, causing her to fall, then stood over the wounded woman and fired again. Police say witnesses reported that shots were also fired toward other employees as they tried to escape.
Two women, ages 45 and 53, suffered gunshot wounds. A 55-year-old male employee was injured in a fall while fleeing. Police reported that all three were in stable condition and their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
Police capture suspect minutes after gunfire
Emergency calls began reaching Des Moines police around 9:10 a.m. Thursday. Witnesses reported hearing approximately 10 to 12 shots. The first officers arrived within three minutes, but the suspect had already left the building.
Officers located Pledger near a bicycle trail by the University Avenue bridge and Des Moines River, taking her into custody around 9:21 a.m. Police said she did not resist. A 9mm handgun was recovered when she was detained.
Local, state and federal agencies participated in the response and investigation, including the Des Moines Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Five felony charges filed
Polk County Jail booking information identifies Pledger, 39, as a West Des Moines resident and lists her arresting agency as Des Moines police. She was booked at approximately 3:25 p.m. November 5.
The record lists two counts of attempted murder, Class B felonies under Iowa Code 707.11(1); two counts of willful injury causing serious injury, Class C felonies under Iowa Code 708.4(1); and one count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, a Class C felony under Iowa Code 708.6.
The jail booking record showed a no-bail status at the time it was obtained. That entry does not establish that a judge has imposed permanent or mandatory detention, and future bond decisions remain subject to court proceedings.
Police have not announced a motive for the shooting. Investigators have not publicly stated whether any previous workplace dispute was involved.
Security precautions at nearby facilities
The shooting prompted temporary security restrictions at nearby locations, including MercyOne Medical Center’s emergency department across the street.
Des Moines Public Schools also temporarily secured Carver Elementary School, its Welcome Center and Central Nutrition Center. Those precautions were lifted around 10 a.m. after the immediate threat had passed.
Police restricted access around the postal facility while officers secured the scene and investigators gathered evidence. Authorities said the shooting happened in a section of the building not open to the public.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said she was monitoring the response and expressed appreciation for law enforcement.
Further details of the police account were reported by Radio Iowa and Iowa Public Radio.
The victims have not been publicly identified. Pledger is presumed innocent of the criminal charges unless proven guilty in court.