Postal Employee Held in Shooting of 2 Co-Workers

PALATINE, Ill. —  A postal worker described by co-workers as a “beautiful guy” shot and wounded two men with whom he regularly joked and ate lunch, police and fellow employees said Tuesday.

Clerks Steve Collura and Mike Mielke were hospitalized in stable condition.

Dorsey S. Thomas, 53, was arrested near his home in Northlake. He was charged with attempted murder of two federal employees and ordered held until a bond hearing Thursday.

Thomas’ attorney, Terry Gillespie, said Thomas had been under a doctor’s care and on medication for physical problems and depression.

Postal Inspector Ida Gillis said Thomas, whom she described as “a loner, a quiet individual,” had been acting normally at work, and investigators had not determined any motive.

“I can’t figure out why he did it,” said clerk Maude Kelly, who had worked with Thomas about 20 years. “We’ve been here for a long time. He was just a beautiful guy. We would joke and laugh together.”