Multiple people shot at postal office in Des Moines, Iowa

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 16:23 · Archive

Three or four people were injured in a shooting at a United States Postal Service facility in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday; a suspect is in custody.

Multiple people were shot at the main United States Postal Service facility in Des Moines on Second Avenue on Thursday morning around 9.10am local time. The Daily Mail reports that three people were shot, while one outlet reports a fourth person was taken to hospital with minor injuries, though it is unclear if this person suffered a gunshot injury. All victims were taken to nearby hospitals.

Police arrived within three minutes of receiving reports of shots fired on the second floor of the post office. Officers detained a suspected shooter near a trail under the I-235 bridge and recovered a weapon. The building was declared secure shortly after law enforcement arrived.

Des Moines Police Sergeant Paul Parizek told reporters that the injuries did not appear to be life-threatening. The Daily Mail quotes Parizek as saying of the victims: 'They're all at the hospital, they are being cared for right now.' One outlet reports that at least one injured person sought medical treatment independently.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said on X that she was in contact with the Department of Public Safety and that the suspected shooter was in custody. She wrote: 'The investigation is ongoing. We are monitoring the situation and our prayers are with everyone involved. Grateful for the immediate response by law enforcement.' Representative Zach Nunn, Republican for Iowa, also commented, offering prayers for victims and praising law enforcement.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Des Moines Police Department, Pleasant Hill Police Department, Polk County Sheriff's Office and Iowa State Patrol. Second Avenue was shut down in both directions. The motive for the shooting was not immediately clear. Authorities continued to investigate.

How it is being reported

• Multiple people injured in shooting at Des Moines post officeMultiple people were injured in a shooting at a post office in Des Moines, Iowa Thursday morning, with police putting a nearby hospital on lockdown.New York Post · 5 Nov, 16:16
• Multiple people injured after mass shooting reported at Iowa post officeA suspect is in custody following a reported active shooter incident that left multiple people injured at the main United States Postal Service facility in Des Moines, Iowa , on Thursday.Independent World · 5 Nov, 16:11
• Three people shot after gunman opens fire at Iowa post officeOfficers descended on the United States Postal Service building on Second Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa after an active shooter targeted the postal office.Daily Mail · 5 Nov, 16:11
• Multiple people shot at United States Postal Service office in Des Moines, suspect detainedPolice in Des Moines, Iowa, said multiple people were injured and a suspect is in custody following a shooting Thursday at a United States Postal Service facility.Fox News · 5 Nov, 15:04

In this story: Des Moines · Iowa · Kim Reynolds · United States Postal Service · Des Moines Police Department · Zach Nunn

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log