City councilor who supported data center says his home was shot at

An Indianapolis city-county councilor says his home was shot at early in the morning of April 6, less than a week after he publicly supported a Martindale Brightwood data center that has been embroiled in controversy for the past six months.

Councilor Ron Gibson, who represents District 8, which includes Martindale Brightwood, told IndyStar through a spokesperson that he woke up around 12:45 a.m. to a series of gunshots fired at his home as he was sleeping. In total, 13 shots were fired at his house, he said.

A note that read "No Data Centers" was tucked under the doormat, the spokesperson told IndyStar. Gibson's eight-year-old son was home at the time, Gibson said.

"I understand that public service can bring strong opinions and disagreement, but violence is never the answer, especially when it puts families at risk," Gibson said in a statement.

IMPD responded to Gibson's residence in the Devington neighborhood just after 9 a.m. on April 6 for reports of shots fired into a home.

Police are investigating the incident as an isolated event. No injuries were reported.

The FBI is assisting with the investigation, IMPD said.

The vandalism investigation comes less than one week after Gibson supported a proposed 14-acre data center in his district that the Metropolitan Development Commission approved by a 6-2 vote.

At the public hearing, Gibson spoke in support of the project, saying the 2505 N. Sherman Dr. lot had sat idle for years and did little for economic development in the neighborhood. Metrobloks, a Los Angeles-based developer, wants to build a 75MW data center on 14 acres of land.

The rezoning approval will have to be rubber stamped by the City-County Council.

City-County Council President Maggie Lewis said in a statement the council condemned the act of violence against Gibson and asked anyone with information to come forward to police. IMPD has not announced any suspects at this time.

"The entire Indianapolis City-County Council is deeply disturbed and heartbroken by the violent act targeting the home of our colleague, Councilor Ron Gibson. The reported discharge of gunfire, paired with a threatening message left behind, represents an alarming and unacceptable escalation," Lewis said in a statement.

"Differences in opinion are a natural and necessary part of civic life. But violence, threats, and intimidation are not forms of dialogue—they are attacks on our shared commitment to democracy, civil discourse, and community safety," she added.

A City-County Council spokesperson said Monday night's full council meeting downtown would have additional security present.

Alysa Guffey writes business and development stories for IndyStar. Contact her at [email protected].