An Indianapolis man who was upset about not getting his mail has pleaded guilty to murdering a U.S. Postal Service employee.
Tony Cushingberry, 23, entered a plea to second-degree murder Wednesday in connection with the April 2020 slaying of mailwoman Angela Summers.
Court documents say Cushingberry was angry that postal workers were not delivering mail to his address because of an aggressive small dog, according to federal prosecutors.
The US Postal Service sent out letters warning dog owners to secure the pet before ceasing mail delivery to the residence.
On April 27, 2020, Cushingberry confronted Summers, 45, about his missing mail and then chased her onto a neighbor’s porch, prompting her to spray the man with Mace.
Cushingberry then pulled a gun from his waistband and shot the woman in the chest before running away. The postal worker was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Cushingberry was arrested the next day and allegedly admitted to shooting Summers, but he claimed he only wanted to scare her.
Tony Cushingberry (right) pleaded guilty to shooting and killing postman Angela Summers. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police; National Association of Letters
“Correspondent Summers was a dedicated public servant, just doing her job when she was senselessly murdered,” said US Attorney Zachary Myers.
Summers, who also taught Sunday school, was survived by her daughter. She did not have USPS life insurance at the time of her death, Fox59 reported.
“We hope that the resolution of this case will serve as a deterrent to these criminal actors who threaten the fundamental right to a safe work environment for our nation’s postal workers,” said USPS Inspector General Rodney Hopkins.
Cushingberry faces a maximum sentence in federal prison. His sentencing date has not been set.
Add Comment