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Investigators Suspect Disgruntled Employees After 2013 Metcalf Attack

8/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Two shooters fired high-powered rifles at PG&E’s Metcalf substation near San Jose on April 16, 2013, disabling 17 transformers.
The attack, from 1:31 a.m. to 1:50 a.m., discharged about 120 rounds that hit oil-filled cooling fins, leaking roughly 52,000 gallons of oil.
PG&E’s president alerted the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Jon Wellinghoff, its chairman, later learned investigators found no fingerprints or dust and could only suspect disgruntled employees.

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Story summary

Two shooters fired high-powered rifles at PG&E’s Metcalf substation near San Jose on April 16, 2013, disabling 17 transformers.
The attack, from 1:31 a.m. to 1:50 a.m., discharged about 120 rounds that hit oil-filled cooling fins, leaking roughly 52,000 gallons of oil.
PG&E’s president alerted the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Jon Wellinghoff, its chairman, later learned investigators found no fingerprints or dust and could only suspect disgruntled employees.