In a shocking incident, a postal worker named Jennifer Christine Pledger, aged 39, fired a gun at her colleagues in a Des Moines, Iowa post office. (Pic Credit: AP & X Handle)
The accused, identified as 39-year-old Jennifer Christine Pledger of West Des Moines, allegedly stood over one of the women after shooting her and fired another round before continuing to shoot as she fled the building, police said, according to news agency AP. Des Moines police Sergeant Paul Parizek said all three victims, including women aged 45 and 53 and a 55-year-old man, were taken to hospital. Police received the first emergency calls at around 9:10 am and reached the scene within three minutes. The suspect was apprehended at approximately 9:21 am along a nearby bicycle path without resistance. Officers recovered a 9 mm handgun at the location where she was detained.
All were reported to be in stable condition. The restrictions were lifted after police confirmed that the suspect had been taken into custody.
She is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, according to police. The US postal inspection service said it was investigating the incident in coordination with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Iowa governor Kim Reynolds said she was in touch with the department of public safety following the shooting.
Following the incident, Des Moines public schools temporarily restricted entry and exit at a nearby elementary school, welcome centre and nutrition centre. A female postal employee allegedly shot two of her female colleagues at the main post office in Des Moines, the capital of Iowa, on Thursday before being arrested nearby.