Jennifer Christine Pledger Charged With Attempted Murder After Des Moines Postal Sorting Center Shooting
Authorities examined whether an incident was a targeted assault as an Iowa postal worker accused by police of shooting and injuring two female peers inside their shared regional sorting facility appeared in court for the first time on Friday.
Jennifer Christine Pledger, 39, opened fire on her colleagues on Thursday before standing over one of the wounded women and shooting her again, according to law enforcement statements. She kept shooting as she left the post office just north of downtown Des Moines, according to police, and now faces two counts of attempted murder alongside other charges.
Police Detain Suspect and Recover Firearm After Shooting
Two women, ages 45 and 53, sustained multiple gunshot wounds during the Thursday incident, court records show. Both victims are expected to recover. A 55-year-old male employee was also hurt in a fall while trying to escape the facility.
Police detained Pledger without resistance minutes later on a bike trail after officers quickly fanned out to find her once they learned her name and travel direction. Officers recovered a 9 mm handgun that had no more live ammunition inside, though court records show she carried another loaded magazine.
Des Moines Police Chief Michael McTaggart stated Friday that officers arrived on the scene within one minute of 911 calls, updating an initial timeline that put response times within three minutes.
"Had we not known that the person had left the building, we would have dedicated a lot of our resources to perimeter security and clearing that building," Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said Friday.
Investigators Examine Motive at Regional Sorting Facility
Authorities executed a search warrant Thursday at a home believed to be Pledger’s residence in West Des Moines. Over 200 employees work at the regional sorting facility, which includes a walk-in service counter accessible to the public. The shooting itself occurred on the second floor in an area restricted from public access.
"We believe the evidence indicates that one of the victims was targeted," Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek stated on Friday, mentioning that their conclusion relies on the suspect’s behavior and that further investigation is required for verification.
Margaret Greene, acting assistant inspector in charge with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, addressed the workplace safety implications on Friday. Everyone has the right to feel safe in their workplace without fear from coworkers, customers or others,
she said.
During her initial court appearance on Friday, a judge approved Pledger’s application for appointment of counsel. She remains held without bond facing charges that include two counts of attempted murder, two counts of willful injury causing serious injury, and intimidation. Attempts by The Associated Press to reach relatives were unsuccessful, and the Polk County Public Defender’s office declined to comment.
