A shooting at a post office in Des Moines, Iowa, left three people injured on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Authorities confirmed that a suspect was taken into custody following the incident, which prompted an immediate response from local law enforcement and temporary security measures at nearby schools.
According to police, two people were shot inside the city’s main post office, while a third person suffered injuries while attempting to escape. Investigators said none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening.
Police received reports of gunfire at approximately 9:10 a.m. local time. Officers arrived at the scene within three minutes of receiving the initial reports. The shooting reportedly occurred on the building’s second floor.
Sgt. Paul Parizek confirmed that all three injured individuals were transported to a hospital for medical treatment.
“They’re all at the hospital, they are being cared for right now,” Parizek said while providing an update on the victims.
Suspect Taken Into Custody After Des Moines Post Office Shooting
The suspect was taken into custody later Thursday morning as officers continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The incident happened at the main Des Moines post office, located just north of downtown and across the street from one of the city’s major hospitals.
The facility is a four-story regional mail-sorting center that also includes a public walk-in service counter. Authorities have not released additional details about the suspect or what may have led to the shooting.
The Associated Press reported that officials were seeking further information as the investigation continued.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also addressed the incident, confirming that she was in contact with the Department of Public Safety.
In a statement shared online, Reynolds said the suspected shooter was in custody and that authorities were continuing their investigation. She also expressed concern for everyone affected and thanked law enforcement officers for their rapid response.
Nearby Schools Temporarily Placed on Secure Status
The shooting also prompted precautionary security measures at several nearby educational facilities.
Des Moines Public Schools said it received notification from police at approximately 9:20 a.m. about the incident at the post office.
Following the notification, a nearby elementary school, the district’s welcome center and its nutrition center were placed under secure status. During this precautionary measure, no one was allowed to enter or leave the affected buildings.
The district later confirmed that the restrictions were lifted around 10 a.m. after police notified school officials that a suspect had been taken into custody.
Although the situation raised concerns in the surrounding community, authorities confirmed that the three injured individuals were receiving medical care and that their injuries were not considered life-threatening.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not yet provided further details about the circumstances or possible motive behind the shooting.