Efforts to bring power back to a notoriously-scary town in Indiana were halted after crews were shot at overnight following devastating storms.
After violent weather left thousands without power for around two weeks, efforts to restore electricity to Gary were briefly paused thanks to a shooting on August 15.
Utility workers with NIPSCO were scouting on Rutledge Street when gunfire erupted just after midnight, hitting their Jeep.
'I heard something like a big explosion, boom! Then I heard two more, boom, boom,' resident Kenneth Lewis told CBS News.
While neither of the two employees were injured, the company vehicle was struck twice, including one bullet which became lodged in the back of a headrest, the outlet reported.
'Let me be clear: this type of violence is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the City of Gary,' Mayor Eddie Melton said in a press release.
'These crews are here for one reason - to help our residents and restore electricity to families who have already endured days without power.'
Gary has long been associated with urban decay and crime. The city is famously the birthplace of Michael Jackson.
Investigators told the outlet that the workers had been followed by an off-duty officer from an outside agency, and neither the officer or crew workers saw the gunman.
After violent weather left thousands without power for around two weeks, efforts to restore electricity to Gary were briefly paused thanks to a shooting on August 15
Utility workers with NIPSCO were scouting on Rutledge Street when gunfire erupted just after midnight, hitting their Jeep (pictured)
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, pictured, described the violence as 'unacceptable' and said it would 'not be tolerated,' as the city works with NIPSCO to restore power after the chaotic weather
The incident caused restoration efforts to be paused 'until the city and company get a plan in place,' United Steel Workers Local 12775 President Ryan Baker told the Chicago Tribune.
'Our men and women are busting their [expletive] 24/7 to get the power back on for 300,000 people spread over three counties, so it’s unfortunate and shouldn’t have happened,' he added.
In a statement online, NIPSCO said that it was 'aware of a serious incident' and that the company is 'working closely with law enforcement and gathering additional information.'
'The safety of our employees, contractors and the communities we serve remains our highest priority. We are grateful that no injuries have been reported,' the company said.
'In response to this incident, we are working with law enforcement and are evaluating appropriate security measures to ensure the safety of our responders as we continue storm restoration activities.
'We thank our employees, contractors, mutual assistance crews and law enforcement partners for their continued dedication and support during this historic restoration effort.'
Mayor Melton said that the city coordinated with the Gary Police Department, Indiana State Police and state officials 'to ensure crews have the protection necessary to safely resume their restoration work.'
'To support this effort, the Indiana State Police is deploying additional troopers to assist our local forces,' Melton added.
NIPSCO aid that it was 'aware of a serious incident' and that the company is 'working closely with law enforcement and gathering additional information.' Pictured: Utility workers in Gary
As of Monday afternoon, NIPSCO announced that around 3,878 customers remained without power due to the storms that killed at least seven people
'We understand the deep frustration of residents who are still without power, and we share the urgency of getting service restored. We are bringing every available resource to the table so that crews can get back to work safely and power can be restored as quickly as possible.'
Work resumed on Saturday evening at around 5pm, as Melton said NIPSCO's projection of 100 percent power restoration in northwest Indiana would remain on track for Friday.
'We have to do our part to keep them on track, on schedule...Because of this incident, no work has stopped...we will get through this together, and we're greater together,' he said.
'I am asking our community to rally behind these workers. Support these crews, allow them to do their jobs safely and help us get Gary fully restored.'
'Restoration work continues across northern Indiana, and we will provide additional information as it becomes available. We appreciate the patience and understanding of Gary residents as we take steps to ensure restoration efforts can continue safely,' NIPSCO said.
As of Monday afternoon, NIPSCO announced that around 3,878 customers remained without power due to the storms that killed at least seven people.
On Sunday, the Melton said that '12 days without power is unacceptable.'
'I share your frustration, and I am pressing NIPSCO to work faster. With over 1,000 workers on the ground, outages are now under 8663 —but we will not stop until every light is on,' he said.
The catastrophic storms brought historic flooding to Indiana, with mass amounts of destruction, water rescues and power outages across the state
Around 374,500 total NIPSCO customers were left without power since the storms began on August 11, with a total of 364,824 homes restored, according to the electric company
Melton said that Gary had 'achieved record-low crime rates this year' and said his administration is 'fiercely committed to keeping it that way'
Around 374,500 total NIPSCO customers were left without power since the storms began on August 11, with a total of 364,824 homes restored, according to the company.
The catastrophic storms brought historic flooding to Indiana, with mass amounts of destruction, water rescues and power outages across the state.
The Indiana State Emergency Operations Center confirmed deaths across multiple counties, including a 19-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman in Delaware County, a four-year-old boy in Jennings County, two women in Lake and Porter counties, a man in LaPorte County and a 31-year-old man in New Castle, Fox Weather reported.
Melton said that Gary had 'achieved record-low crime rates this year' and said his administration is 'fiercely committed to keeping it that way.'
The GPD's Public Safety Report in 2025 saw sharp drops in violent crimes and strong gain in investigative results compared to 2024, the Daily Mail previously reported.
In 2024, the city recorded a median of 49 crimes per square mile. This dropped to 45 in 2025. Still, this far exceeds the national median of 24.5 and Indiana’s 20, according to neighborhood scout.
Most notably, the report shows a historic milestone - the lowest homicide rate in 55 years.
Violent crime is falling across Gary, according to the report. Non-fatal shootings dropped 24 percent, from 133 in 2024 to 101 in 2025.
The storms that began on August 11 brought down trees onto power lines across Indiana, leaving thousands without electricity
A tree seen brought down in front of a home in Gary, Indiana,
Homicides fell 30 percent, from 40 to 28, bringing a 46 percent drop since 2023, while non-fatal shootings are down 31 percent.
Police chief Derrick Cannon said: 'These numbers reflect a more focused and proactive approach to investigations.
'Our officers and detectives are working tirelessly to follow through on cases, build stronger files, and ensure individuals committing crimes in our city are held accountable.'
'We will not allow an isolated act of violence disrupt the critical services our residents need,' Melton added.
The Daily Mail reached out to the Gary Police Department, the Indiana State Police, NIPSCO and the City of Gary for comment.
