Indianapolis Councilor Targeted in Shooting After Backing Data Center Plan

Gunshots fired at home of Ron Gibson, who supported controversial data center development in his district

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:07am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a bullet hole in a wooden door, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A violent attack on an Indianapolis city council member's home underscores the escalating tensions over data center developments in local communities.Indianapolis Today

An Indianapolis city council member, Ron Gibson, said he awoke early Monday morning to the sound of gunshots as an attacker fired into his home and left a note at his doorstep that read 'No data centers.' No one was hurt, but the bullets pierced his door and landed inside his home, steps away from where his 8-year-old son plays. Gibson had recently backed a divisive plan to build a data center in his district, which has faced strong opposition from the local community.

Why it matters

Data centers have become a lightning rod for controversy in cities across the country, with community members raising concerns about the environmental impacts and pushing back against proposed developments. This incident highlights the tensions surrounding these projects and the potential for violence when political leaders support them despite local opposition.

The details

According to the police, the shooting was believed to be an 'isolated, targeted incident,' and the FBI is assisting with the investigation. Gibson, who represents Indianapolis's 8th District, has been at the center of his city's data center controversy, speaking in support of a proposal by developer Metrobloks to build a data center in the historically Black Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood, despite protests from residents concerned about the environmental impacts.

  • The shooting occurred early Monday morning.
  • Last week, Gibson backed a divisive plan to build a data center in his district.

The players

Ron Gibson

An Indianapolis city council member who recently backed a plan to build a data center in his district, which faced strong opposition from the local community.

Maggie Lewis

The Indianapolis City Council president, who said the shooting and message were 'an alarming and unacceptable escalation.'

André Carson

A U.S. Representative from Indiana, who said 'nobody has the right to threaten or hurt those we disagree with.'

Ernest Popescu

The CEO of Metrobloks, the developer proposing to build the data center in Gibson's district.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department

The local police department investigating the shooting, which they believe was an 'isolated, targeted incident.'

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What they’re saying

“This was not just an attack on my home, but endangered my child and disrupted the safety of our entire neighborhood.”

— Ron Gibson, Indianapolis City Council Member

“We're deeply disturbed and heartbroken. This shooting and message are an alarming and unacceptable escalation.”

— Maggie Lewis, Indianapolis City Council President

“Nobody has the right to threaten or hurt those we disagree with.”

— André Carson, U.S. Representative from Indiana

What’s next

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI are continuing their investigation into the shooting, and authorities are working to identify a suspect and determine the motive.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing tensions surrounding data center developments in communities across the country, where local residents are pushing back against the environmental impacts and disruption to their neighborhoods. It serves as a stark reminder that political disagreements should never escalate to violence, especially when it puts families at risk.