Newsman: A man is dead in Michigan after ramming a vehicle into one of the nation’s biggest synagogues that also houses an early childhood center, according to local officials.
“As you have no doubt heard, Temple Israel was the victim of a terrorist gunman who was confronted and neutralized by our security personnel who are truly heroes,” synagogue staff said in a statement on March 12. “Our teachers followed their training and kept the children safe and calm.”
The suspect drove into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township outside Detroit, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. Synagogue security staff opened fire on the vehicle, and it ignited. The suspect’s cause of death remains unknown.
A security guard was struck by the vehicle and was hospitalized but is expected to recover, Bouchard said. No other injuries were reported. Authorities successfully evacuated the temple’s school, which was in session when the attack occurred.
“Everyone is safe,” synagogue staff said in the statement. “All 140 students in our Susan and Harold Loss Early Childhood Center, our amazing staff, our courageous teachers, and our heroic security personnel are all accounted for and safe.”
According to Sheriff Michael Bouchard there is no active threat to the community, and local police lifted a shelter-in-place advisory at around 3 p.m. local time.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in a statement thanked law enforcement for their swift action.
“This is heartbreaking,” she said. “Michigan’s Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace. Antisemitism and violence have no place in Michigan.”
President Donald Trump addressed the shooting during an unrelated news conference.
“I want to send our love to the Michigan Jewish community and all of the people in Detroit area following the attack on the Jewish synagogue early today,” Trump said at a Women’s History Month event. “I’ve been briefed – fully briefed – and it’s a terrible thing but it goes on. We’re going to be right down to the bottom of it. It’s absolutely incredible that things like this happen.”
President Donald Trump offered his prayers to Michigan’s Jewish community while opening a celebration of Women’s History Month at the White House.
“I want to send our love to the Michigan Jewish community and all of the people in the Detroit area following the attack on the Jewish synagogue early today,” Trump said. “I’ve been briefed – fully briefed – and it’s a terrible thing, but it goes on. We’re going to be right down to the bottom of it. It’s absolutely incredible that things like this happen.”
Attack under investigation
The suspect’s vehicle caught fire in a synagogue hallway after he rammed it through the doors of the building and was fired upon by security, authorities said. Video from the scene shows smoke billowing from the building.
Authorities were working to determine if there were any possible explosives in the area, Bouchard said. Bomb-sniffing dogs were at the scene, along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Federal authorities are expected to lead the ensuing investigation.
It’s not yet clear if anyone else was involved, Bouchard added. He also said authorities do not know if the suspect fired any shots during the attack.
Temple Israel describes itself as the “the nation’s largest Reform synagogue,” with more than 12,000 congregants. It dates back to 1941, according to its website.
In January, the FBI led an active shooter training with Temple Israel’s clergy and staff members, according to a post on X from the bureau’s Detroit field office. The training allowed staff and clergy to “practice the decision-making process of the Run, Hide, Fight principles and take necessary actions for survival,” the post said.
The shooting occurred as concerns over domestic attacks have spiked amid the United States and Israel’s war with Iran. Bouchard said authorities will investigate the suspect’s motive, but it’s too early to speculate.
