INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) who shot and killed an Indianapolis mail carrier.

Police began their investigation around 4 p.m. Monday in the 400 block of North Denny Street. They were called to the area on the city’s east side on a report of a person shot.

Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department found a woman with at least one gunshot wound. She was “awake and talking.”

Medics transported the woman to a local hospital, where she later died.

The Marion County Coroner’s Office identified the woman as 45-year-old Angela Summers. The USPS confirmed she was one of its employees.

Melissa Hardy is having a hard time processing what happened to her friend Angela Summers. They have been friends for 15 years.

“There was a neighborhood app that had said it was a female and I knew it was close to where she carried and my heart just sank,” Hardy said.

Since her passing; neighbors in the community of put up tribute ribbons to honor Summers. Hardy isn’t surprised.

“She loved people. She loved the people on her route. She worried about the older people on her route during this time. She always carried treats and she would give the dogs treats on her route,” Hardy said.

Hardy wants people to remember mail carriers are human ans said they should be treated with respect.

“Nobody deserves this and she definitely didn’t deserve this,” Hardy said.

Police did not have a description of the suspect. They haven’t talked about possible charges yet, but killing in on duty federal employee is considered a federal offense and could carry a life sentence. Please ask anyone with information to reach out to Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.

Summers’s home church; Unity of Indianapolis; sent us statement about her passing.

“Unity of Indianapolis is grieving the loss of a beloved member of our Spiritual Community.  Angela Summers was a vital part of our congregation. Once, Angela told me that when she first started attending Unity of Indianapolis, she would sit in the back so she could leave quickly.  The messages she was hearing were reaching her deeply.  As time went on she no longer felt like she needed to leave quickly.  She started getting involved.  She volunteered with the Sunday School team and worked with the kids.  3 years ago she was elected to the Board of Directors.  While on the Board, Angela really let her voice be heard. Unity had become so important to her she wanted to do all she could to help out.  She served on the Sacred Places Team which helped us receive a grant to help in restoration of our Mid-Century Modern building. Her legacy will live on as we make restorations thanks to the work that she and the team did. Angela was quick with a hug, a laugh, and an opinion.  She had a heart of gold, and cussed like a sailor.  Angela was passionate about her daughter, her church, and the arts.  She fought hard for the things she loved.  As a community we are hurting.  We have lost a loved one, one of our family so, of course we grieve, of course we cry.  Between the tears, we celebrate the light she brought to each of us,” Unity of Indianapolis Spiritual Leader Rev. Michael Everett Davis said.

On behalf of the NALC, we mourn the loss of Sister Summers. Angela began her career with the Postal Service less than two years ago. She had her whole life ahead of her. She was dedicated to her customers as a letter carrier, and to her co-workers as a union representative. She served them both well. The senseless nature of her death breaks our hearts. We send our thoughts and prayers to Angela’s daughter, the rest of her family, friends, coworkers, and loved ones.

National Association of Letter Carriers President Fredric Rolando said