Three Injured in Des Moines Post Office Shooting; Suspect Detained, Police Say

Police respond to postal facility

November 5, 2026 · 10:39 a.m. Central

Three people were injured in a shooting at the main post office in Des Moines on Thursday morning, and a suspect has been detained, police said.

The injured people were taken to a hospital, and their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, Des Moines police told The Associated Press. Their conditions and the details of the investigation could change.

Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said reports of shots fired began around 9:10 a.m. Central and officers responded within three minutes, AP reported. He said the shooting happened on the facility’s second floor.

What officials have said

The building is a regional sorting facility just north of downtown with a public service counter, according to AP. Local station KCCI reported that police had located multiple victims and detained a suspected shooter.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said she was in contact with the state Department of Public Safety and that the investigation was ongoing. Her statement did not establish a motive.

Authorities had not provided a verified motive, the suspect’s identity or details of any charges in the reporting reviewed. Detention is not a conviction, and officials had not established whether the people injured were employees or customers.

Where the shooting occurred

Police responded to the main post office north of downtown Des Moines. The star marks the general downtown area rather than the precise location inside the facility.

Thursday morning

Times are Central and approximate.

1. About 9:10 a.m.Reports of shots fired began, police Sgt. Paul Parizek told AP.
2. After the reportsOfficers responded within three minutes, Parizek said. Police later said a suspect had been detained.
3. Later Thursday morningPolice said three people were injured and taken to a hospital; their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, AP reported.

The governor’s statement

Reynolds said on X that the suspected shooter was in custody and the investigation continued. Her statement is an official response; the injury details above are attributed to police through AP.

Read Gov. Reynolds’ post on X

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Sources and visual credits

Associated Press: police briefing · KCCI: police response · FOX: local reporting · Gov. Reynolds on X.

Hero and thumbnail: generated conceptual illustration, not a photograph or reconstruction of the facility or shooting. Map: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.