Efforts to restore electricity to Gary, Indiana, were temporarily halted after utility crews were shot at while working to repair power lines following severe storms. The incident occurred on August 15, just after midnight, as two NIPSCO employees were scouting on Rutledge Street. Gunfire erupted, striking their company vehicle twice, though neither employee was injured. One bullet lodged in the back of a headrest.
Mayor Eddie Melton of Gary condemned the violence, stating it is "absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated." He emphasized that the crews are present solely to assist residents and restore power to families who have been without it for approximately two weeks.
The shooting caused restoration efforts to pause until a safety plan could be established. Ryan Baker, President of United Steel Workers Local 12775, told the Chicago Tribune that workers were "busting their [expletive] 24/7 to get the power back on for 300,000 people spread over three counties." NIPSCO confirmed awareness of the incident and stated they are working with law enforcement and evaluating security measures.
Following the incident, Mayor Melton coordinated with the Gary Police Department, Indiana State Police, and state officials to ensure crews have necessary protection. Additional Indiana State Police troopers were deployed to assist local forces. Work resumed on Saturday evening, and NIPSCO projected a full restoration for northwest Indiana by Friday.
As of Monday afternoon, approximately 3,878 NIPSCO customers remained without power. The severe storms, which began on August 11, caused widespread destruction, historic flooding, and power outages across Indiana, leading to at least seven reported deaths.
Around 374,500 NIPSCO customers lost power due to the storms, with 364,824 homes having had service restored. Mayor Melton acknowledged the frustration of residents experiencing prolonged outages and expressed urgency in completing the restoration.
Despite the incident, the Mayor stated that "no work has stopped" and urged the community to support the workers. He added, "We will get through this together, and we're greater together."
Gary has a history associated with urban decay and crime, and it is the birthplace of Michael Jackson. However, Mayor Melton noted that the city had achieved record-low crime rates in the current year, with his administration committed to maintaining that trend. A Public Safety Report indicated significant drops in violent crimes and improved investigative results compared to previous years, including the lowest homicide rate in 55 years.