DTE Energy employee shot on Detroit's east side, DTE offers reward
Detroit (WJBK) - A DTE Energy employee was shot Saturday morning on Detroit's east side.
The employee was in a marked DTE vehicle near Marcus Avenue and Van Dyke Road performing storm-related duties.
Sometime between 5 a.m. and 5:50 a.m. an armed man knocked on the passenger window of the vehicle.
When the employee saw the weapon, he immediately started to drive away and was hit in the thumb by a bullet. He was treated at an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
"DTE Energy will not tolerate violence or the threat of violence. Our employees need to feel safe when they are out providing service to our customers," said Trevor Lauer, senior vice president, Distribution Operations.
"DTE workers are in the field every day working to provide safe and reliable service to our customers. We are taking action to keep our employees safe, especially those in the field, and we ask for the public's help to minimize threats to our workers. Together, we can ensure our communities are safer places to work and live."
Assaulting a utility worker is an enhanced felony in Michigan and can result in additional prison time.
DTE Energy is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the gunman.