Assailant shoots DTE Energy worker in the thumb

Detroit — A DTE Energy repairman was shot in the thumb while on the job during the predawn hours Saturday, officials from the utility said.

The unidentified worker was sitting in his work vehicle near Van Dyke Road and Marcus around 5-5:30 a.m. when an unknown assailant approached the passenger window and pointed a gun, DTE officials said.

“It was so dark, the employee wasn’t even able to see if the person was a man or a woman,” said DTE Energy spokeswoman Randi Berris. “But he did see the gun being pointed at him immediately.”

The worker sped off. The assailant fired as the worker drove away. He was treated at an area hospital early Saturday and the injuries are not critical, Berris said.

DTE Energy is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the assailant. Assaulting a utility worker is an enhanced felony in Michigan and can result in additional prison time.

For more information, the public can call the DTE tipline: (313) 235-9119.

“DTE Energy will not tolerate violence or the threat of violence,” said Trevor Lauer, senior vice president, Distribution Operations, in a written statement. “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.”

laguilar@detroitnews.com

Twitter: LouisAguilar_DN