USPS employee charged after Des Moines shooting

The USPS employee charged with attempted murder; people injured in the shooting; Des Moines police and responding law enforcement

A shooting at the main U.S. Postal Service facility at 1165 Second Ave. in downtown Des Moines injured three people, and a USPS employee was charged with attempted murder Friday. A suspect was taken into custody. Sgt. Paul Parizek said two people were shot and a third was injured while trying to escape. Police said none of the injuries appeared life-threatening. The shooting occurred on the second floor, with reports of shots fired beginning around 9:10 a.m. local time. Parizek said officers responded within three minutes and quickly captured the suspect, who was found just east of the post office; the first officer arrived within three and a half minutes of the dispatch call. A multi-agency operation responded, and crews swept the building to check for anyone else inside. Authorities closed northbound traffic on Second Avenue and urged people to avoid Second and University avenues while law enforcement secured the site and began an investigation. ATF special agents and FBI agents responded; ATF Kansas City said it was assisting law enforcement partners. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said officials were monitoring the situation. The victims were taken to the hospital. Their status as employees or members of the public was not immediately clear. A 911 caller reported an “active killer” after the shooting; investigators said a postal worker opened fire.

Nov 6, 2026

Des Moines, USA

No cause for the shooting was given.