Metcalf Sniper Attack
Electrical Substation Sniper Attack
CLASSIFICATION: Terrorism
LOCATION
Coyote, California
TIME PERIOD
April 16, 2013
VICTIMS
0 confirmed
On April 16, 2013, a coordinated sniper attack was executed against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Metcalf transmission substation in Coyote, California, resulting in significant damage to 17 electrical transformers, totaling over $15 million, though the power supply remained largely unaffected. The assault began around 12:58 a.m. when the perpetrators cut AT&T fiber-optic cables to disrupt communications, followed by gunfire from 7.62×39mm rifles, which was recorded by surveillance cameras at the site. The attack lasted approximately 52 minutes, concluding at 1:50 a.m., with law enforcement arriving shortly after but finding no suspects. Investigators discovered evidence including expended shell casings and scouting formations of rocks, indicating a premeditated and sophisticated operation; however, as of now, no suspects have been apprehended, and the case remains open.
Theories suggest that the Metcalf sniper attack was a coordinated effort to disrupt power infrastructure, potentially indicating a larger motive or agenda against utility companies. Some speculate that the attack could be linked to domestic terrorism or anti-government sentiments, as the precise targeting of telecommunications and electrical equipment points to a level of planning and intent. Additionally, the presence of scouting positions and the cutting of fiber-optic cables prior to the assault imply that the perpetrators had knowledge of the facility and its vulnerabilities.
The Metcalf Sniper Attack: A Covert Assault on the Grid
In the stillness of the early morning on April 16, 2013, a sinister operation unfolded at the Metcalf Transmission Substation in Coyote, California, a site nestled near the bustling border of San Jose. The target was none other than the Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) critical infrastructure. As the world slept, a group of unidentified gunmen launched a calculated attack, firing upon 17 electrical transformers and causing over $15 million in damage. Remarkably, despite the extensive devastation, the assault barely left a dent in the region’s power supply.
Prelude to the Assault
The events that set this attack in motion began with a deliberate act of sabotage. Just shy of 1 a.m., the perpetrators severed a series of AT&T-operated fiber-optic telecommunications cables not far from U.S. Route 101, just outside south San Jose. This calculated move disrupted communication services and foreshadowed what was to come. Investigators discovered peculiar piles of rocks near the firing positions, hinting at strategic military-style preparations.
The Attack Unfolds
12:58 a.m.: The first sign of trouble emerged when the AT&T cables were cut. This was quickly followed by a service disruption for some customers of Level 3 Communications, whose cables in a vault near the substation were also sliced.
1:31 a.m.: A surveillance camera captured a streak of light alongside the substation’s chain-link fence. Investigators from the Santa Clara County Sheriff's office suspected it was a flashlight signal, soon followed by the ominous muzzle flashes of rifles and the sparks from bullets striking the fence.
1:37 a.m.: An alarm rang through PG&E’s control center, triggered by motion sensors possibly disturbed by the gunfire.
1:41 a.m.: A 911 call echoed through the Santa Clara County Sheriff's department. An engineer at a nearby power plant, which still had phone service, reported the sound of gunfire.
1:45 a.m.: The first bank of transformers, riddled with bullet holes, began leaking 52,000 gallons of oil. As they overheated, PG&E's control center, located about 90 miles north, received an alarming signal of equipment failure.
1:50 a.m.: Another flashlight signal, caught on film, marked the chilling conclusion of the attack. In the aftermath, more than 100 expended 7.62×39mm shell casings littered the scene.
1:51 a.m.: Law enforcement officers arrived to find an eerie quietness. Unable to penetrate the locked fence and finding no immediate signs of trouble, they departed.
3:15 a.m.: A PG&E worker eventually arrived to assess the damage, faced with a scene of meticulous destruction.
The Sophistication and Impact
The attack bore the hallmarks of a professional operation. Former Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Jon Wellinghoff, noted the absence of fingerprints on the shell casings, suggesting a high level of expertise. Wellinghoff described the incident as a significant act of domestic terrorism targeting the national grid, though the FBI remained unconvinced of any terrorist organization’s involvement.
Henry Waxman, a key figure on the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce, emphasized the unprecedented nature of the attack, citing the military-style weapons used and the substantial damage inflicted. The attack's sophistication disrupted communications and demanded weeks of repair. Yet, due to quick action rerouting power from nearby Silicon Valley plants, major outages were averted, leaving many unaware of the incident's severity.
The Aftermath and Investigation
In the wake of the attack, PG&E and AT&T each offered a $250,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. By June 2014, PG&E committed to a $100 million investment over three years to bolster security across its substations, including Metcalf.
The attack's implications echoed through the corridors of power, prompting a 2014 Congressional Research Service report, which highlighted the necessity for mandatory physical security standards for substations.
In a chilling twist, by October 2015, the Department of Homeland Security suggested that an "insider" might have been involved, adding a layer of intrigue and complexity to the investigation.
Precursor Warnings
The attack was not entirely unforeseen. As early as 2012, the National Research Council published a declassified report warning of the electric grid's vulnerabilities to high-voltage transformer damage. This report, prepared for the Department of Homeland Security in 2007, eerily foreshadowed the events at Metcalf.
Conclusion
The Metcalf sniper attack stands as a chilling reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in our critical infrastructure. It underscores the importance of vigilance, preparedness, and the need for ongoing security enhancements to protect against such coordinated assaults.
Sources
For more information, visit the Wikipedia article.
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Metcalf Substation Attack
Gunmen opened fire on the Metcalf transmission substation, damaging 17 transformers.
Fiber-Optic Cables Cut
Prior to the attack, AT&T fiber-optic telecommunications cables were cut near the substation.
Emergency Alarm Triggered
PG&E received an alarm from motion sensors at the substation due to gunfire.
Law Enforcement Response
Law enforcement arrived at the scene but found no signs of the attack.
Reward Offered
PG&E and AT&T offered a $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the attackers.
Security Upgrades Announced
PG&E announced plans to spend $100 million on security upgrades for substations.
Insider Theory Emerges
DHS reported indications that the attack may have been committed by an insider.
FERC Security Standards
FERC ordered mandatory physical security standards for substations following the attack.
On April 16, 2013, a coordinated sniper attack was executed against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Metcalf transmission substation in Coyote, California, resulting in significant damage to 17 electrical transformers, totaling over $15 million, though the power supply remained largely unaffected. The assault began around 12:58 a.m. when the perpetrators cut AT&T fiber-optic cables to disrupt communications, followed by gunfire from 7.62×39mm rifles, which was recorded by surveillance cameras at the site. The attack lasted approximately 52 minutes, concluding at 1:50 a.m., with law enforcement arriving shortly after but finding no suspects. Investigators discovered evidence including expended shell casings and scouting formations of rocks, indicating a premeditated and sophisticated operation; however, as of now, no suspects have been apprehended, and the case remains open.
Theories suggest that the Metcalf sniper attack was a coordinated effort to disrupt power infrastructure, potentially indicating a larger motive or agenda against utility companies. Some speculate that the attack could be linked to domestic terrorism or anti-government sentiments, as the precise targeting of telecommunications and electrical equipment points to a level of planning and intent. Additionally, the presence of scouting positions and the cutting of fiber-optic cables prior to the assault imply that the perpetrators had knowledge of the facility and its vulnerabilities.
The Metcalf Sniper Attack: A Covert Assault on the Grid
In the stillness of the early morning on April 16, 2013, a sinister operation unfolded at the Metcalf Transmission Substation in Coyote, California, a site nestled near the bustling border of San Jose. The target was none other than the Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) critical infrastructure. As the world slept, a group of unidentified gunmen launched a calculated attack, firing upon 17 electrical transformers and causing over $15 million in damage. Remarkably, despite the extensive devastation, the assault barely left a dent in the region’s power supply.
Prelude to the Assault
The events that set this attack in motion began with a deliberate act of sabotage. Just shy of 1 a.m., the perpetrators severed a series of AT&T-operated fiber-optic telecommunications cables not far from U.S. Route 101, just outside south San Jose. This calculated move disrupted communication services and foreshadowed what was to come. Investigators discovered peculiar piles of rocks near the firing positions, hinting at strategic military-style preparations.
The Attack Unfolds
12:58 a.m.: The first sign of trouble emerged when the AT&T cables were cut. This was quickly followed by a service disruption for some customers of Level 3 Communications, whose cables in a vault near the substation were also sliced.
1:31 a.m.: A surveillance camera captured a streak of light alongside the substation’s chain-link fence. Investigators from the Santa Clara County Sheriff's office suspected it was a flashlight signal, soon followed by the ominous muzzle flashes of rifles and the sparks from bullets striking the fence.
1:37 a.m.: An alarm rang through PG&E’s control center, triggered by motion sensors possibly disturbed by the gunfire.
1:41 a.m.: A 911 call echoed through the Santa Clara County Sheriff's department. An engineer at a nearby power plant, which still had phone service, reported the sound of gunfire.
1:45 a.m.: The first bank of transformers, riddled with bullet holes, began leaking 52,000 gallons of oil. As they overheated, PG&E's control center, located about 90 miles north, received an alarming signal of equipment failure.
1:50 a.m.: Another flashlight signal, caught on film, marked the chilling conclusion of the attack. In the aftermath, more than 100 expended 7.62×39mm shell casings littered the scene.
1:51 a.m.: Law enforcement officers arrived to find an eerie quietness. Unable to penetrate the locked fence and finding no immediate signs of trouble, they departed.
3:15 a.m.: A PG&E worker eventually arrived to assess the damage, faced with a scene of meticulous destruction.
The Sophistication and Impact
The attack bore the hallmarks of a professional operation. Former Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Jon Wellinghoff, noted the absence of fingerprints on the shell casings, suggesting a high level of expertise. Wellinghoff described the incident as a significant act of domestic terrorism targeting the national grid, though the FBI remained unconvinced of any terrorist organization’s involvement.
Henry Waxman, a key figure on the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce, emphasized the unprecedented nature of the attack, citing the military-style weapons used and the substantial damage inflicted. The attack's sophistication disrupted communications and demanded weeks of repair. Yet, due to quick action rerouting power from nearby Silicon Valley plants, major outages were averted, leaving many unaware of the incident's severity.
The Aftermath and Investigation
In the wake of the attack, PG&E and AT&T each offered a $250,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. By June 2014, PG&E committed to a $100 million investment over three years to bolster security across its substations, including Metcalf.
The attack's implications echoed through the corridors of power, prompting a 2014 Congressional Research Service report, which highlighted the necessity for mandatory physical security standards for substations.
In a chilling twist, by October 2015, the Department of Homeland Security suggested that an "insider" might have been involved, adding a layer of intrigue and complexity to the investigation.
Precursor Warnings
The attack was not entirely unforeseen. As early as 2012, the National Research Council published a declassified report warning of the electric grid's vulnerabilities to high-voltage transformer damage. This report, prepared for the Department of Homeland Security in 2007, eerily foreshadowed the events at Metcalf.
Conclusion
The Metcalf sniper attack stands as a chilling reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in our critical infrastructure. It underscores the importance of vigilance, preparedness, and the need for ongoing security enhancements to protect against such coordinated assaults.
Sources
For more information, visit the Wikipedia article.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Metcalf Substation Attack
Gunmen opened fire on the Metcalf transmission substation, damaging 17 transformers.
Fiber-Optic Cables Cut
Prior to the attack, AT&T fiber-optic telecommunications cables were cut near the substation.
Emergency Alarm Triggered
PG&E received an alarm from motion sensors at the substation due to gunfire.
Law Enforcement Response
Law enforcement arrived at the scene but found no signs of the attack.
Reward Offered
PG&E and AT&T offered a $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the attackers.
Security Upgrades Announced
PG&E announced plans to spend $100 million on security upgrades for substations.
Insider Theory Emerges
DHS reported indications that the attack may have been committed by an insider.
FERC Security Standards
FERC ordered mandatory physical security standards for substations following the attack.