Postal employee shot 2 coworkers at an Iowa post office before being captured, police say
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- Two people were shot and a third injured while trying to escape a shooting Thursday at Des Moines’ main post office; none of the injuries were believed life-threatening.
- Police took a suspect into custody, and nearby schools briefly went into secure status as officers responded and investigated.
DES MOINES — A female postal worker shot two fellow employees at the main post office in Iowa’s capital city Thursday before being captured nearby, authorities said.
A third employee was injured in a fall while trying to escape. None of the injuries was believed to be life-threatening, police said.
“They’re all at the hospital. They are being cared for right now,” Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said of the victims, two women and a man. All were in stable condition.
The shooting happened on the facility’s second floor, in an area not accessible to the public. Witnesses reported hearing 10 to 12 shots, he said.
Parizek said officers responded within three minutes and quickly captured the suspect, who was detained along a nearby bike path without resistance. Police began receiving calls about the shooting around 9:10 a.m., and the suspect was detained at 9:21 a.m., he said. Authorities didn’t immediately identify the alleged shooter.
The post office is just north of downtown Des Moines and across the street from one of the city’s main hospitals.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said in an email that it was investigating the shooting along with local, state and federal law enforcement.
Gov. Kim Reynolds said she was in contact with the Department of Public Safety regarding the shooting.
“We are monitoring the situation and our prayers are with everyone involved,” she posted online. “Grateful for the immediate response by law enforcement.”
Des Moines Public Schools said the district’s nearby elementary school, welcome center and nutrition center temporarily barred anyone from entering or leaving the facilities because of the shooting. Those restrictions were lifted after police told them the suspect was in custody.
Fingerhut writes for the Associated Press. AP writers R.J. Rico in Atlanta and Jamie Stengle in Dallas contributed to this report.
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