A female postal worker opened fire inside a post office in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday morning, wounding two women, police said.
Officers rushed to the main United States Postal Service (USPS) facility after reports of gunfire emerged at about 9:10 a.m. local time.
The shooting occurred on the building’s second floor. Police said the 39-year-old suspect shot two women, ages 45 and 53.
Both victims were taken to nearby hospitals. Their injuries were not considered life-threatening.
A 55-year-old man was also hurt after falling while trying to escape the building, authorities said.
Investigators have not disclosed a possible motive, and the suspect has not commented.
Police said: ‘At 9:21 AM, the suspect was located and detained without incident near the Des Moines River, east of the postal building.
‘A 9mm handgun was recovered by law enforcement at the scene where the suspect was detained.’
Des Moines Police Department Sgt. Paul Parizek said officers arrived within three minutes of receiving the initial reports.
Two people were shot at the main post office in Des Moines, Iowa, after a woman opened fire inside the facility. Officers are pictured at the scene Thursday morning
First responders gathered at the United States Postal Service facility on Second Avenue on Thursday morning
Officers located and detained the suspected shooter near a trail beneath the I-235 bridge at around 9:30 a.m., according to radio traffic.
Police said they do not believe a second shooter was involved. However, officers continued searching the surrounding area as a precaution to make sure no one else remained at large.
Police added in a statement: ‘The Des Moines Police Department Crimes Against Persons Section is leading this investigation. The United States Postal Inspection Service is partnering, with the FBI and ATF assisting.
‘The Des Moines Police Department was assisted by multiple metro agencies during this response; the Des Moines Fire Department, Polk County Sheriffs Office, Iowa State Patrol, Altoona Police Department, Pleasant Hill Police Department, West Des Moines Police Department, Polk County Emergency Management, 5th Judicial District Probation & Parole, and the above mentioned Federal Agencies.
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‘2nd Avenue is open for traffic.’
Second Avenue, the road where the USPS facility stands, was closed in both directions while emergency crews and investigators responded to the shooting.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said she was in contact with the Department of Public Safety.
‘The suspected shooter is in custody and the investigation is ongoing. We are monitoring the situation and our prayers are with everyone involved,’ she wrote on X earlier Thursday. ‘Grateful for the immediate response by law enforcement.’
Responding agencies included the Des Moines Police Department, Pleasant Hill Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and FBI.
Several fire department vehicles and ambulances were also sent to the scene.
Officers, including some wearing tactical gear, work to secure the main USPS office in Des Moines after a gunman opened fire from the second floor of the facility
Officers with the Des Moines Police Department, Pleasant Hill Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol responded to the shooting
Police officers walk near a post office as they respond to a shooting in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines Public Schools said a nearby elementary school, welcome center and nutrition center were placed under a secure status after the district was notified of the shooting at 9:20 a.m. The measure meant no one could enter or leave the buildings.
The restrictions were lifted at about 10 a.m., after police confirmed that a suspect was in custody.
The main post office sits just north of downtown Des Moines, directly across from one of the city’s major hospitals.
The four-story building serves as a regional mail-sorting facility and includes a public walk-in service counter.
The Daily Mail has contacted the Des Moines Police Department for additional information.