A west Owensboro neighborhood has gone more than a month without mail delivery after a United States Postal Service carrier was struck by what law enforcement said was an Orbeez gun.
According to a statement Wednesday from USPS strategic communications specialist Susan W. Wright, the carrier was “hit by pellets fired from a BB gun while delivering on Texas Avenue” in April.
“After careful consideration, including guidance from the United States Postal Inspection Service, delivery to the Texas Avenue area was suspended until further notice,” the statement said.
Jeff Sagrecy, Postal Inspector and Public Information Officer for Kentucky, confirmed Wednesday evening that the Postal Inspection Service is investigating the matter. However, he said in a statement that “due to the nature of this matter and the ongoing investigation,” there were no details he could share at this time.
Sagrecy said the USPIS works with local law enforcement when necessary, but provided no specifics about this incident.
“Generally, once we complete our investigation and we document violations of state and local laws, we will work with our fellow law enforcement to report those matters if they are not already involved. Of course, there are always instances where that may not be necessary or not warranted,” Sagrecy said.
Owensboro Police Department Public Information Officer Mark Hammonds confirmed Wednesday afternoon that OPD investigated the incident. However, he said it was not reported to OPD until 11:55 a.m. on May 3. That’s when officers responded to the 100 block of Texas Avenue and spoke with a postal worker who advised that he “was shot with a type of BB” while delivering mail in the 2400 block of Ebach Street, according to Hammonds.
“Officers followed up on Ebach Street and determined that subjects were shooting an Orbeez gun from their porch,” Hammonds said in a statement. “They denied intentionally shooting the postal worker. Officers advised the subject that they could not shoot any type of projectile in the city limits and explained to the complainant they could follow up with the County Attorney if they wished to pursue charges.”
Orbeez guns, also sometimes referred to as soft gel guns or gel ball blasters, are toys that are similar to airsoft guns but use small water gel balls/beads as their projectiles for shooting.
According to the statement from Wright, delivery in the Texas Avenue area — which includes a few dozen homes — was suspended “until further notice” following the incident. USPS officials said the decision was made in consultation with the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
“The safety and security of our employees is our first priority – and we take it seriously,” the statement reads. “Delivery to a service area may be suspended or withdrawn completely if there is a hazardous or unsafe situation affecting the letter carrier, the mail, or postal property.”
USPS did not provide a timeline for resuming mail delivery.
“We are working toward a solution to provide ongoing mail delivery to residents while ensuring a safe working environment for our carriers while they perform the duties of their job,” the statement read.
Residents are currently required to pick up their mail from the Post Office, located roughly two miles away.
