An Indianapolis lawmaker says someone opened fire on his home early Monday and left a note saying “No data centers” after he supported building a facility in a historic neighborhood.
City-County Council member Ron Gibson said the assailant fired 13 bullets into his home shortly before 1 a.m. Monday and left the note in a plastic bag by his front door.
“My 8-year-old son and I were not physically harmed, but we were awakened by the sound of gunfire. Like any parent, I immediately ran to him and reassured him that he was safe,” said Mr. Gibson, a three-term member of the council.
“Just steps from where those bullets struck is our dining room table, where my son had been playing with his Legos the day before,” he said. “That reality is deeply unsettling. This was not just an attack on my home, but endangered my child and disrupted the safety of our entire neighborhood.”
This photo provided by Sara Hindi, …
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Indianapolis Metropolitan Police said the shooting was an “isolated, targeted incident.” No arrests have been made.
Data centers have become a hot-button issue across the country because their power demands typically cause utility costs to increase.
Last week, Mr. Gibson voiced support for rezoning part of the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood so that a data center could be built there. He said the project would create about 300 jobs over a three-year span.
His advocacy was met with boos, and most of those in attendance at the Metropolitan Development Commission said they did not want the data center to be built.
The commission voted in favor of the project. Its fate will be decided by the entire City-County Council.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett decried the violent act in a statement.
“No matter our differences, violence is never the answer. No family in Indianapolis should have to experience this type of violence in a place where they should feel safe and secure: their home,” Mr. Hogsett said. “These types of incidents will not be tolerated in our community and we are dedicating all available resources to ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.”
