Postal Worker Charged After Allegedly Gunning Down Supervisor
A Saint Paul postal worker is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly shooting his supervisor multiple times.
Tewabe Semu Getachew, 28, was charged with second-degree attempted murder after police say he shot a 50-year-old co-worker on Sunday afternoon at the U.S. Post Office location on Seventh Street West.
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The victim, a supervisor at the post office, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to Regions Hospital, where he remains in stable condition following surgery.
The shooting occurred around 3:24 p.m. Oct. 13, when a fellow employee discovered the victim, who was able to identify Getachew as the shooter, according to the criminal complaint. “He shot me. He shot me. Call the police,” the victim reportedly told the employee. When the 911 dispatcher asked who was responsible, the victim named Getachew and said he had fled the scene.
Officers recovered 12 spent .40 caliber Smith & Wesson shell casings at the scene near the victim. Police located Getachew at his home later that day and took him into custody. Authorities noted bloodstains on his shoe laces, though no firearm was found in his possession at the time of the arrest.
Investigators searched Getachew's home and found a Glock .40 caliber handgun, along with ammunition matching the casings found at the post office. Ballistics tests confirmed that the recovered gun was used in the shooting.
According to coworkers, Getachew had a history of erratic behavior and had taken time off for mental health treatment. The facility’s manager confirmed that Getachew began working at the Post Office in Feb. 2024 and regularly took Thursdays off for medical appointments.
Witnesses also told investigators that Getachew often refused to complete his work assignments and had conflicts with the victim. The victim's wife told police that her husband had expressed concerns about a problematic coworker who fit Getachew's description.
At the time of his arrest, authorities noted the smell of alcohol on Getachew, who admitted to drinking a beer after returning home from work. He denied shooting the victim, claiming he saw him unharmed before leaving the Post Office.
Getachew has a prior conviction for gross misdemeanor harassment in Hennepin County. Court documents reveal that in the previous incident, he made violent threats against a former employer.
The victim, who sustained at least five gunshot wounds, is expected to undergo additional surgeries.
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