On Friday night, August 14, 2026, a NIPSCO utility truck was hit by gunfire while crews were working to restore electricity in Gary, Indiana. The incident caused the restoration effort to be paused temporarily as officials responded to the scene.
The NIPSCO crew had been addressing a power outage in the city when the vehicle was struck. Following the discharge of firearms, the workers stopped work to ensure safety and to allow law‑enforcement personnel to secure the area.
Mayor Eddie Melton was informed of the event and confirmed that the city’s emergency response teams were activated. The Gary Police Department arrived promptly to investigate the shooting and to provide assistance to the utility workers. Indiana State Police were also called to the scene to support the local investigation.
Both police agencies began collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. No additional details about the source of the gunfire or any potential suspects have been released at this time. The agencies have indicated that the investigation remains ongoing.
NIPSCO released a statement saying that the safety of its employees is a top priority and that the company is cooperating fully with law‑enforcement officials. The utility provider noted that once the investigation permits, crews will resume work to complete the power restoration.
The power outage that prompted the repair effort affected a portion of Gary’s residents, but officials have not specified the extent of the impact. The temporary halt in work is expected to delay the full restoration timeline, though no new completion estimate has been provided.
City officials and the utility company are monitoring the situation closely. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available from the ongoing police investigation.