A man died after crashing a vehicle into a synagogue in Michigan on Thursday afternoon. Authorities are treating the incident as a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.
The crash happened at Temple Israel, a large synagogue located in West Bloomfield.
According to Mike Bouchard, the suspect drove his vehicle through the building’s entrance and into a hallway before the car caught fire.
Security guards confronted the suspect and opened fire as he approached the building. One guard was struck by the vehicle and was taken to hospital. Officials said the guard is expected to recover.
Authorities Investigate Possible Targeted Attack
The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed that investigators are treating the incident as a targeted act against the Jewish community.
The United States Department of Homeland Security identified the suspect as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a 41-year-old naturalized US citizen originally from Lebanon. He reportedly moved to the United States in 2011.
Officials have not confirmed the exact cause of his death. Sheriff Bouchard said investigators are still determining whether the fire or gunfire caused it.
Fire and Emergency Response
The vehicle fire spread quickly and filled the synagogue with smoke. Authorities said the building became heavily engulfed in flames.
Around 30 police officers were taken to hospital for treatment after inhaling smoke during the emergency response.
Investigators are also examining what caused the fire inside the building. Bomb disposal teams cleared the vehicle carefully to rule out the possibility of explosives.
Children Safely Evacuated from Preschool
The synagogue also houses a preschool with around 140 children.
Teachers and staff quickly evacuated the students and moved them to a nearby safe location. Officials later confirmed that all children and staff were accounted for and unharmed.
Members of the community gathered nearby while waiting for updates about their families.
Community Reaction and Increased Security
The synagogue has long maintained security guards. Officials said security measures increased after the Israel–Hamas war, which led to a rise in antisemitic incidents in the United States.
Following Thursday’s attack, police increased patrols around Jewish community centres across Michigan.
Speaking at an event in Washington, Donald Trump expressed support for the community and described the incident as tragic.
A Major Jewish Community in the Area
Temple Israel is one of the largest Reform synagogues in the United States. Founded in 1941, the congregation includes around 3,500 member families, representing nearly 12,000 people.
The synagogue is located near Detroit, which is home to a large Jewish population.
Local residents said the attack deeply shocked the community. Many said security concerns have increased in recent years due to rising antisemitism across the country.
