A U.S. Post Office mail carrier was attacked by a gunman in the rear of the post office at 1767 Springfield Avenue in Maplewood this afternoon.

Postal officials say a carrier from the main Maplewood post office was in the parking lot in the rear of the small Springfield Avenue facility about 2 p.m. Friday, picking up the outgoing mail, when he was approached by a man with a gun. The carrier was struck, although officials say it is unclear whether with the gun or something else, and started bleeding. As he fell back, the man grabbed a small brown bag with a New Jersey Transit logo on it and fled on foot.

Officials say they do not know what was in the N.J. Transit bag. The postal carrier was treated for his injuries at the scene and did not go to the hospital. His identity has not been released.

His attacker did not enter the post office building itself, officials said. Indeed, a postal worker inside was unaware of the attack as it occurred.

But post office officials say there are video cameras in the rear of the building and the video is being reviewed to determine if the incident was captured on tape.

They described the suspect as a black male, age 20-25, between 5'8" and 6'0", wearing gray shorts and a black shirt with gray lettering.

A woman with a young child—who did not want to give her name—who lives adjacent to the parking lot called the incident "scary."

"I am out here all of the time," she said.

Other neighbors and patrons of the restaurant adjoining the post office were unaware of the events until afterwards. By late afternoon, the neighborhood was quiet, and business went on as usual.

Postal officials asked anyone with information about the attack to contact investigator Anthony Gonzales at 973-693-5450, or call their 24-hour hotline at 1-800-USMAIL5.

There is a reward of up to $50,000 for information on the case. The penalty for assaulting a mail carrier, which is a federal offense, is up to 25 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000.