ST PAUL, Minn. — An employee of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is charged with second-degree attempted murder after prosecutors say he shot his work supervisor multiple times at a post office branch in St. Paul Sunday afternoon. This falls within four days where St. Paul has seen three homicide cases.
"The last four days have not been good for our City," St. Paul Police Chief, Axel Henry said.
The allegations against 28-year-old Tewabe Semu Getachew are laid out in a criminal complaint filed in Ramsey County District Court Tuesday. Prosecutors say the shooting was not premeditated, but committed with intent.
St. Paul police dispatched squads to the USPS branch at 1715 Seventh St. W. shortly before 3:30 p.m. after a postal employee called 911 to report a shooting. The caller told dispatchers that he returned to the building and found his supervisor had been shot several times. "He shot me... he shot me... call the police," the victim told the caller.
Responding officers arrived at the post office branch and located 12 spent .40 caliber Smith and Wesson casings from the floor. When asked who the shooter was, the victim told an officer "Tewabe."
The supervisor was rushed to Regions Hospital in critical condition with what appeared to be at least five gunshot wounds to his body, mostly his back. He was unable to answer when officers asked him why Tewabe had allegedly shot him.
Investigators learned that Tewabe Getachew had worked out of the branch that day. Another employee described the suspect as "weird" and having mental health issues. That worker said Getachew sometimes refused to do his job and argued with the supervisor. Detectives then spoke with the facility manager, who told them Getachew had been working for the Post Office since February 24, 2024, and had every Thursday off so he could attend appointments related to his mental health.
Police went to Getachew’s address and learned from his landlord that he was supposed to be returning home. Neighbors told investigators that Getachew was always drinking and they suspected he was an alcoholic. Residents also said Getachew continuously spoke of needing a gun and getting a license for one.
Officers eventually located Getachew’s vehicle and stopped it in front of his address around 4:50 PM. The suspect was removed from the Sienna and taken into custody. Police noted Getachew had what appeared to be blood on the laces of his right Puma shoe. Getachew did not have a firearm on him, but a search warrant on his home turned up a .40 caliber Glock handgun that held several rounds of Smith and Wesson ammo.
When questioned by investigators, Getachew admitted seeing his supervisor at work but denied shooting him. A test of the handgun recovered from his residence indicates it was the same weapon that fired the casings recovered from the post office.
The complaint says despite his critical injuries, the postal supervisor is in stable condition and expected to undergo additional surgery on Oct 15.
St. Paul has recorded 22 homicides so far in 2024, compared to 27 at this time last year in 2023. So far this year, St. Paul has seen 86 non fatal gun shot victims, compared to 99 around this time last year. Chief Henry says 80% of their homicides have been solved, but they need the public's help to close out the other cases.
"Solving these murders is not and will never be the answer. We have to prevent them in the first place," Chief Henry said.
The public can report anonymous tips here.