Indianapolis Man Receives 30-Year Sentence for Murdering U.S. Postal Service Employee

 Justice Served as Court Sentences Tony Cushingberry for Fatal Shooting of Angela Summers

Indianapolis, IN - Tony Cushingberry, a 24-year-old resident of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been handed a 30-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to the murder of Angela Summers, a dedicated United States Postal Service (USPS) employee. The court also found him guilty of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, intensifying the severity of his sentence.

The tragic incident unfolded on April 27, 2020, at around 3:57 p.m. when officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) responded to a distress call on North Denny Street. They discovered Angela Summers, a devoted letter carrier, shot and gravely injured on the front porch of a residence along her mail delivery route.

Eyewitness accounts and court records revealed that Cushingberry, situated on his own porch, had observed Summers passing by his house on that fateful day. Acting aggressively, Cushingberry confronted Summers on a neighboring porch, repeatedly demanding his mail. Undeterred, he pursued Summers, brandishing a handgun and ultimately firing a fatal shot into her chest from a short distance away.

Fleeing the scene immediately, Cushingberry hid the firearm in a detached garage nearby. However, on April 27, 2020, diligent efforts by United States Postal Inspectors and IMPD Officers led to the discovery of a safe inside Cushingberry's residence. The safe contained multiple boxes of ammunition, including a fired cartridge casing matching the Glock pistol used in the crime.

Angela Summers was urgently transported to Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition but tragically succumbed to her injuries, with her life being cut short at 5:31 p.m. that evening. The loss of Summers, both a beloved family member and a dedicated public servant, sent shockwaves through the community.

Zachary A. Myers, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, expressed deep sorrow over the untimely loss of Angela Summers and emphasized the significance of accountability in such cases. He stated, "Our communities should not have to live in fear of every conflict leading to gun violence. No term of imprisonment will bring Angela back, but the sentence imposed today demonstrates that those who kill will face judgment and accountability."

The successful collaboration between the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), IMPD, and federal prosecutors was commended by Myers for their relentless pursuit of justice in this case.

Detroit Division Inspector in Charge, Rodney Hopkins, highlighted the commitment of local and federal partners in seeking justice for Angela Summers, emphasizing that such violent acts against Postal Service employees would not be tolerated. Hopkins stated, "This sentence should serve as a warning to others who commit violent acts against Postal Service employees that Postal Inspectors will aggressively investigate and seek to have those individuals sentenced to the maximum extent possible."

Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge of ATF's Columbus Field Division, extended heartfelt condolences to Summers' grieving family, friends, and colleagues. McCormick expressed hope that the imposed sentence would provide them with some measure of closure.

The investigation into this heinous crime involved the tireless efforts of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson presided over the case, imposing the 30-year prison sentence on Cushingberry. Additionally, Judge Stinson ordered that Cushingberry be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years following his release from federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Myers expressed gratitude to Assistant United States Attorneys Jayson W. McGrath and Peter A. Blackett for their dedicated prosecution of this case, ensuring justice was served for the loss of Angela Summers.

As the community reflects on this tragic event, it serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by postal workers in the line of duty. Their safety and security remain paramount, and concerted efforts must continue to protect those who selflessly serve our communities.