Jennifer Christine Pledger Charged After Des Moines Post Office Shooting Injures Three Employees

Jennifer Christine Pledger, 39, faces multiple felony charges after a November 5, 2026, shooting at the main USPS facility in Des Moines, Iowa, injured three employees. All three victims are expected to survive as authorities investigate the incident.

Des Moines Postal Facility Shooting Leaves Three Employees Injured

A shooting at the main United States Postal Service facility in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday, November 5, 2026, left three employees injured and resulted in multiple criminal charges against 39-year-old Jennifer Christine Pledger of West Des Moines.

Police identified Pledger as the suspected shooter and accused her of opening fire on coworkers inside the facility. The incident prompted an emergency response involving local and federal law enforcement agencies.

According to authorities, two female employees, aged 45 and 53, sustained gunshot wounds. A 55-year-old male employee was also injured while attempting to escape the shooting. All three victims were taken for medical treatment and were reported to have injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

What Happened at the Des Moines Post Office?

The shooting was reported at approximately 9:10 a.m. at the main post office, located at 1165 Second Avenue in downtown Des Moines.

Police said the gunfire occurred on the building’s second floor, an area not accessible to members of the public. Witnesses reportedly heard between 10 and 12 shots.

Investigators said Pledger allegedly fired at a group of employees, striking two women. According to police accounts, she approached one injured employee and fired again before continuing to shoot in the direction of other workers as they fled.

Officers responded within approximately three minutes. Pledger had left the building before their arrival but was located near a nearby bike trail and detained at approximately 9:21 a.m. A 9mm handgun was recovered.

Jennifer Pledger’s Criminal Charges

Pledger faces five felony counts connected to the incident:

• Two counts of attempted murder.

• Two counts of willful injury causing serious injury.

• One count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon.

She was booked into the Polk County Jail. Authorities have not publicly established a motive for the shooting, and reports indicate that Pledger had not provided an explanation to investigators

Investigation and Community Response

The Des Moines Police Department is leading the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Nearby schools and other facilities temporarily restricted access while officers worked to secure the area. Those precautionary measures were lifted after police confirmed the suspect was in custody.

The incident has raised concerns about workplace safety and the well-being of postal employees. For now, attention remains on the recovery of the injured workers and the ongoing criminal investigation.

Disclaimer

This article is based on police information and reporting by established news organizations, including the Associated Press and Radio Iowa. The allegations against Jennifer Christine Pledger have not been proven in court. She is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Authorities had not announced a confirmed motive in the reports reviewed.