WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — Authorities say an armed suspect is dead after he rammed a vehicle into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township on Thursday afternoon, which led to security guards engaging the suspect in gunfire.
Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report:
Watch the entire Friday evening news conference:
Officials say they were called around 12:19 p.m. and arrived to the temple off of Walnut Lake Road near Drake Road in under five minutes.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard says a lead member of the temple's security team was hit by the vehicle when the suspect breached the building. No other injuries of staff or children were reported. Henry Ford Health confirmed that Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital and Henry Ford Providence Novi Hospital treated eight first responders. Officials say more than 60 first responders were treated for smoke inhalation after the suspect's vehicle caught fire.
The suspect has been identified by law enforcement as 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a Dearborn Heights resident.
We're told that police agencies in metro Detroit are increasing patrols at places of worship and schools to provide security out of an abundance of caution.
Read the latest updates below
2:30 p.m. Sunday
Temple Israel released the statement below earlier this afternoon, saying that they will be proceeding with Kabbalat Shabbat and Bar/Bat Mitzvah services:
Dear Temple Family,
First, on behalf of the clergy, leadership, and staff of Temple Israel…Thank you! For the outpouring of love, of support, of offers to help and of solidarity. We feel all of that from you in this very difficult time and that, more than anything else, is what keeps us going.
If you have not watched the video of our Friday night service at Shenandoah Country Club in the wake of this assault on our sacred home, we encourage you to do so. You can access it on our YouTube page.
That said, we do want to update you on how this will affect Temple religious services, programming, and schools. Sadly, because of the extent of damage done to our beloved building, it will be closed to us for the immediate future.
So, here is what we know, as of today:
We will be proceeding with all Kabbalat Shabbat and Bar/Bat Mitzvah services! Please join us and look for updates as to venue and time.
All Temple Israel programming is suspended through Tuesday March 17th to allow leadership time to focus on the best ways to continue serving our community.
If you need us, we are here for you! Simply call the Temple phone number (248) 661-5700 which is up and running. Call if you or a loved one is in the hospital, if you feel the need to talk to someone about what has happened, or if you have any questions whatsoever.
We are finalizing arrangements for a temporary office location.
We are also in the process of securing temporary locations for the Susan & Harold Loss Early Childhood Center and Tyner Religious School.
Tyner Religious School will not be in session again until after Passover/Spring Break.
So many of you have asked how you can volunteer. We will be sending out volunteer opportunities once we have a clearer idea of our immediate needs.
Many have asked how you can make a financial donation to support our efforts in rebuilding our beloved Temple community. The best way to do this, and to ensure that 100% of your donation goes directly to Temple, is to donate directly through our website at www.temple-israel.org, or contact Cassi Cohen, our Director of Development at ccohen@temple-israel.org.
Thank you again for your incredible support and understanding as we work through the challenges of proving that Temple Israel is not just a building! Temple Israel is you-- Temple Israel is us working together toward a common and sacred goal!
May we continue to go from strength to strength together.
L'shalom,
Your Temple Israel Leadership Team
10:50 p.m. Friday
Members of Temple Israel gathered Friday evening at Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield Township for Shabbat service, supporting one another after the attack on their place of worship.
Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny reflected on the outcome of the attack during the service.
"Every staff member, security officer and teacher survived. Every parent was reunited with their child. Everyone went home with their family. We survived," Kaluzny said.
Watch the video report below:
Kaluzny praised the security guards who confronted the attacker and stopped him from getting further into the building. One guard was injured in the attack after being hit by the suspect's vehicle.
"Even after he was injured, he got himself somehow to the ECC school door to warn them not to come into the hallway," Kaluzny said.
Rabbi Paul Yedwab also addressed the congregation.
"We are Temple Israel," Yedwab said.
As the investigation continues, members of Temple Israel say they are thankful they survived the attack.
"In some way, just being here tonight is a sign of survival, of defiance, but tradition teaches us that's not enough. It is incumbent upon us to respond aloud and say this prayer. Why? Because we survived it together as one community," Kaluzny said.
9:20 p.m. Friday
Video from Phantom Fireworks shows who they say is the suspect, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, buying fireworks at a Livonia store on Tuesday. Investigators confirmed earlier they found fireworks in Ghazali's vehicle after the attack.
6:35 p.m. Friday
During a Friday evening press conference with multiple law enforcement agencies, a timeline of events was released. Officials said there are no new known threats to the community.
The FBI confirmed the suspect was 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a Dearborn Heights resident. Ghazali had no previous criminal history, no registered weapons and had not been involved with any previous FBI investigations, said Jennifer Runyan, special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office.
The timeline for the events Thursday are below:
9:58 a.m.: Suspect drives Ford F-150 into parking lot of Temple Israel
10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Suspect remains inside parked vehicle with no one else or other vehicles associated with him
12:19 p.m.: Suspect drives through Door 5, hitting security guard
12:20 p.m.: Vehicle gets jammed between hallway walls and suspect begins firing his gun through windshield.
After that, Ghazali and a security guard engage in a gunfight through the rear window of the vehicle. Ghazali then became trapped since the vehicle was jammed in the hallway.
12:22 p.m. Second guard engages suspect in gunfight from front of the vehicle. Then, the vehicle’s engine compartment caught fire. Ghazali then shot himself in the head.
Watch the full press conference below:
Runyan says commercial-grade fireworks were found in the bed of the pickup truck as well as several jugs of flammable liquid that's believed to be gasoline. Some of that was consumed in the fire.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard says 605 law enforcement officers responded to the scene from 42 different agencies.
He says a total of 63 law enforcement officers were sent to the hospital from smoke inhalation. First responders continued to pour into the building despite the fire to make sure there was no threat and to evacuate the innocent.
Bouchard says training within the last month at Temple Israel was a coincidence, despite some questioning the timing.
“We’re training all the time as agencies with our partners, our houses of worship, our schools. That was one of those trainings. There was no credible intelligence that it was about to get hit,” the sheriff said.
To the partners across the state, federal agencies and more, "thank you for your invaluable assistance during one of the darkest days in West Bloomfield Township's history," West Bloomfield Township Police Chief Dale Young said.
5:55 p.m. Friday
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard spoke with 7 News Detroit on air around 5:30 p.m. Friday about the attack and provide an update.
He says most of the first responders who were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation have been discharged. Some of them were kept overnight for high blood pressure from the inhalants.
“Obviously, they rushed into the building that was smoke filled and on fire from the car and they did so to make sure the threat had been stopped and eliminated, number one. And number two, to make sure that every innocent in that building got evacuated, and that successfully occurred,” Bouchard said.
Bouchard's son was one of those first responders who was hospitalized, he said.
Watch our conversation with him below:
“He was one of the many that rushed into that building and wanted to do what he could. And obviously, we’re proud of everybody that went into that building, including the staff that marshaled the kids. I mean, this is a young group of kids. This was from like babies to 5 (years old),” the sheriff said. “As terrible as the day was on many levels, it’s the best we could hope for after an attack like this starts.”
Bouchard says the security guard who was hit by the vehicle the suspect was in is still at the hospital being treated but is OK.
“He got banged up pretty good, but he’s doing OK and he should be OK. He’s a great person as is the rest of the security team that did what they have been trained to.”
Bouchard says this is the fifth mass incident the department has responded to in five years and it has weighed on them. Resources have been available to first responders.
4:41 p.m. Friday
Officials in Deaborn Heights held a press conference shortly after 4 p.m. Friday to address details of the suspect being a resident in their city.
“Yesterday, we witnessed a deeply troubling act of violence at the Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. While the FBI is leading the investigation, law enforcement has confirmed that the individual involved was a resident of Dearborn Heights,” Mayor Mo Baydoun said. “While we are grateful that no worshipers, staff or child was seriously harmed at the Temple Israel, we acknowledge that fear to enter a sacred space is in its own a type of injury. No one should have to live with that type of fear.”
Baydoun says he's been in contact with West Bloomfield Township officials, offering any support they need. He confirmed the suspect lost family oversees in a recent airstrike in Lebanon that left two children dead.
“That grief is real and it’s heartbreaking. But let me be clear: that is not an excuse. These actions do not reflect our values as a city. This is not who we are. There is never an excuse for violence, especially violence directed at a sacred space,” Baydoun said.
Watch the full press conference below:
Dearborn Heights Police Chief Michael Guzowski also spoke about “the disturbing act of violence.”
“I want to begin by acknowledging the seriousness of the incident that happened yesterday that has captured the national attention of our country,” Guzowski said. “The nature of this offense and its broader, global, political implications have understandably caused concern, fear and many questions within our community. First and foremost, I want to be clear that this incident did not occur in our city, however, because the individual maintains ties to our community, we take this matter very seriously.”
Guzowski says when city officials learned the suspect is a Dearborn Heights resident, he immediately got in contact with law enforcement investigating the attack.
“Our department has coordinated information sharing, intelligence support and logistical assistance as requested,” Guzowski said. “Our administration has ensured that any relevant records, background information or investigative leads available to us were promptly provided through the appropriate law enforcement channels."
The chief said there is no credible information of any ongoing threats in Deaborn Heights connected to the attack. He says the city has taken additional precautions to ensure safety.
3:55 p.m. Friday
The FBI announced on Friday afternoon that they will be holding a press conference at 6 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center.
You can watch the news conference streaming here at that time.
🚨 Media Advisory: The FBI Detroit Field Office and our Michigan law enforcement partners will be hosting a press conference to provide additional information from yesterday’s attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township. It will be held at the Berman Center for the… pic.twitter.com/Wi7mmVazeo
— FBI Detroit (@FBIDetroit) March 13, 2026
2 p.m. Friday
7 News Detroit obtained viewer video that shows a charred vehicle being towed followed by multiple law enforcement vehicles on Thursday around midnight near Telegraph and Orchard Lake roads:
12:42 p.m. Friday
A town official in Mashghara, Lebanon, told ABC News that the suspect's family was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the town on the night on March 5.
That town official told ABC that Ayman Ghazali's two brothers, Qassem and Ibrahim, and Ibrahim's two children, a 4-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy, were killed. Ibrahim's wife was also critically injured in the airstrike and is currently in the hospital with a fractured skull, broken pelvis and broken legs.
10:50 a.m. Friday
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard provided an update to 7 News Detroit on Friday, saying more than 50 first responders are being treated for smoke inhalation following Thursday's attack on Temple Israel.
9:30 a.m. Friday
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Temple Israel Rabbi Arianna Gordon and others spoke at a press conference on Friday, one day after the attack at the temple in West Bloomfield Township.
The press conference came after a briefing with law enforcement officials on the latest updates regarding the attack.
During the press conference, Whitmer thanked the community, law enforcement officers and the Temple's security team, who killed the suspect after he crashed into the Temple.
"Yesterday’s attack was antisemitism. It was hate. Plain and simple. We will fight this ancient and rampant evil. We will stand together as we do it. We will call it out. We must lower the rhetoric in this state and country," Whitmer said during the press conference.
Slotkin said Temple Israel is a place that she has a personal connection to, and said that people have a responsiblity to call out antisemitism, no matter where it's coming from.
You can watch the full press conference in the video below
8:30 a.m. Friday
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is set to join other law enforcement officials at a press conference on Friday morning about the Temple Israel attack.
You can watch the press conference live here at 9:15 a.m.
6:50 a.m. Friday
7 News Detroit Anchor Keenan Smith was live outside of Temple Israel all morning long on Friday, and spoke one-on-one with Rabbi Josh Bennett.
You can see the full interview in the video below
Overnight Thursday into Friday
Overnight, agents from the FBI and Joint Terrorism Task Force were seen searching the home of 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, the suspect in the attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township on Thursday.
Agents were seen carrying out over a dozen sealed paper bags and boxes. Learn more about Ghazali here and in the video below
9:04 p.m.
An Associated Press report says the Department of Homeland Security has identified the suspect as 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali.
The report:
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. (AP) — The armed man who rammed his vehicle into one of the nation’s largest Reform synagogues has been identified as 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a naturalized citizen born in Lebanon, according to federal officials.
Ghazali came to the U.S. in 2011 on an IR1 immigrant visa as the spouse of a U.S. citizen and was granted U.S. citizenship in 2016, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Federal investigators have called the crime an act of violence targeting the Jewish community.
6:28 p.m.
During an evening news conference, Sheriff Michael Bouchard says 30 first responders are being treated for smoke inhalation. He said the area of the building where the incident occurred was "engulfed." He said it has not yet been determined what triggered the fire.
You can watch the full news conference below:
The FBI announced two tiplines as part of the investigation. The digital media tipline is fbi.gov/westbloomfieldattack, and you can also call 1-800-CALL-FBI
5:36 p.m.
A man who was working at Temple Israel and called 911 after witnessing the suspect breach the building spoke with 7 News Detroit.
Dustin Shaw says he was toward the back of the building setting up for an event when he heard “a huge crash.”
“So, me and my coworkers, we walk over and someone screams out ‘call 911,’ so I called 911 immediately and I saw someone lying on the ground and that person happened to be one of the head of security who got hit by the car,” Shaw said.
Watch our conversation with Dustin Shaw below:
Shaw says he heard gunshots ring out right after.
“Obviously, the guy who drove the truck into the temple was armed, so our guy did our job, so my hat’s off to him. I’m so happy that everyone made it out safe and that the children were OK and everyone got evacuated,” Shaw said.
He described the moments as tragic and shocking.
“For our temple to be targeted, it makes me so sad,” Shaw said.
He says when he got into his car and drove away from the scene, he saw multiple police cars rushing to the scene.
5 p.m.
Boris Krasnow, a parent whose 1-year-old son was at the temple’s day care when the attack happened, spoke with 7 News Detroit over the phone.
“It’s just really surreal. I mean, you hear about this stuff all the time, but in the moment, it’s strange how almost calm you are because you can’t afford to panic. Just keep refreshing your phone trying to find out what’s going on,” Krasnow said.
Watch the conversation with Boris Krasnow below:
He says his family wasn’t able to relax until after they learned the suspect was killed.
“I think the hard part was all the mixed information we were getting. At one point, we heard we were able to go get my son. We thought things were good. But then we looked it up and we didn’t see that they said that they had the shooter, so it was still an active situation,” Krasnow said.
4:24 p.m.
Henry Ford Health says two of its hospitals are treating eight first responders after the attack on Temple Israel.
Full statement below:
"The emergency medicine teams at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital and Henry Ford Providence Novi Hospital are currently caring for eight first responders following this afternoon’s incident at Temple Israel. Further requests for updates on their conditions should be directed to law enforcement.
Our hearts go out to the community at Temple Israel and anyone who is impacted by this this frightening event. There is absolutely no place for violence in our community."
4:10 p.m.
Temple Israel has posted a statement on their Facebook page. It reads as follows:
Dear Temple Israel Family,
Everyone is safe. 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.
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. Our teachers followed their training and kept the children safe and calm.
We are deeply and humbly grateful to our teachers, staff, security, law enforcement, and Shenendoah Country Club that welcomed us, fed us, and sheltered our staff, teachers, children, and parents. What incredible neighbors we have. What incredible police force we have
This note is coming to you before we know anything about our future programming or services, or any investigation. We wanted you to know we are safe, and we love you all.
3:15 p.m.
The shelter in place for Walnut Lake and Drake has been lifted. People are asked to avoid Walnut Lake between Farmington and Halstead.
2:25 p.m.
Senator Elissa Slotkin spoke with members of the press in Washington about the situation.
RAW VIDEO: Senator Elissa Slotkin speaks on incident at Temple Israel
Per ABC News and Scripps News, Slotkin said:
I know this place very well. Grew up not far from there. And law enforcement are still securing the scene. I'm not going to get ahead of the police. We have to listen to the warnings that they are putting out to the local community, that includes friends and family of mine who are sheltering in place and follow law enforcement.
But I will just say everyone deserves the right to worship in peace. Everyone and an act of antisemitism, an act of violence, of hate, should be treated to the fullest extent of the law. And I'm so sick of another one of these incidents all the time in my community, across the country. And I just -- I think we need to acknowledge that we have a problem, and I'm just sick about it.
So we will keep people posted. More will come out. We will learn about the intentions of this madman. But in the meantime, this is very personal, and I am -- I'm just so sick of communities of all kinds, not being able to worship in peace and this time the Jewish community is again on the receiving end of abhorrent violence and I'm just -- I'm over it.
2:46 p.m.
The Jewish Federation of Detroit has released an updated statement:
"We have received word that while there is still a large security presence at Temple Israel, all other Jewish organizations are no longer required to be in lockdown or lockout protocol. There will continue to be a strong police and security presence throughout the community.
We ask community members to refrain from speculation or sharing unconfirmed information - especially on social media."
2:36 p.m.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard confirmed that the suspected shooter at Temple Israel is dead. He said the suspect drove into the building and was engaged by security.
The sheriff said the suspect was found deceased in the vehicle. He said it's been complicated due to fire involving the vehicle.
“No kids — this is the important thing — no kids or no staff was injured whatsoever,” Bouchard said, adding that a person on the temple’s security team was hit by the vehicle.
That person was taken to the hospital for treatment.
“It’s been complicated because there’s been some fire to say the least with that vehicle. We believe that individual is deceased,” Bouchard said.
Watch the latest from Sheriff Bouchard in the video player below
Officials are still working to clear the area.
2:25 pm.
The Associated Press is reporting that the man who rammed Temple Israel was armed with a rifle, and he was killed by security.
2:23 p.m.
Just last week, 7 News Detroit Reporter Ruta Ulcinaite spoke with Temple Israel Rabbi Josh Bennett amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Bennett said that the synagogue was ramping up security.
You can see their full interview in the video below
2:22 p.m.
Dearborn police have issued a statement on the situation, saying they are aware of what is happening. They also say, out of an abundance of caution, they are increasing patrols around schools and houses of worship in that community. They stress these are proactive measures and there is no known threat at this time.
2:10 p.m.
AP is reporting that their sources say the suspect is dead. 7 News Detroit is being told by law enforcement officials at the scene that they are being told that as well.
When asked about reports that the suspect was dead, ATF Special Agent in Charge James Dier said, "That's consistent reporting, that's consistent with everything I've been told."
Dier also addressed the ATF's role in the investigation, saying, "This is a potential mass casualty incident involving a burning vehicle, destruction to a temple, by the vehicle, as well as a rifle that was involved. So we're gonna bring our expertise to the table with our arson investigators, we've got certified arson investigators across the country, we've got 5 here in Michigan that are on scene right now, we've also got our certified bomb techs and our certified explosive experts on scene as well, just in case there's anything inside that vehicle. We're gonna assist the Michigan State Police and the FBI in that fire scene. We're gonna recover the firearm that was involved in this, trace it to the very last purchaser of that firearm, where it was imported from, and try to determine how this individual came into possession of it."
1:54 p.m.
A neighbor whose family was home at the time of the shooting described what he heard and saw.
"My wife was home and she was cleaning the bathroom upstairs, and she heard sirens coming in and out," Sheldon told us. "She was like 'what is that?' and she heard a couple of fireworks noises. She called me and she said 'I don't know if it's gunshots or something', and then after that, I was like 'I have to go home' and I drove home and this is all that happened.
"There were so many cop cars, different cities and everything," Sheldon continued. "All my friends were texting me to see if everything was okay...I think with those two houses, they took in some kids and some teachers but the other neighbors were telling me that they were okay, so hopefully that's the case."
1:47 p.m.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued a statement about the situation. You can read it below:
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) March 12, 2026
I am tracking reports of an active shooting at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. We are working with Michigan State Police to get more information.
This is heartbreaking. Michigan’s Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace. Antisemitism and violence have no place in Michigan. I am hoping for everyone’s safety.
Thank you to law enforcement for their swift action.
1:40 p.m.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard provided a brief update to the media about an hour after reports of an active shooter at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township.
You can watch the update from Bouchard in the video below
Right now, Bouchard said that no one at the moment has been confirmed to be hurt, except, potentially, the shooter.
Bouchard said the preliminary investigation found that a suspect came to the temple, security saw him, and engaged in a gunfire with the suspect.
"We're not getting any active stimulus at the moment," Bouchard said. They are looking to see if there is more than one person.
Police said there is a shelter-in-place for a one-mile radius from the temple as they continue to investigate.
1:38 p.m.
The FBI office in Detroit and FBI Director Kash Patel have both responded to the situation on X, the social media network formerly known as Twitter.
The FBI Detroit Field Office is responding to reports of an active shooter situation in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Additional updates will be provided on social media as they become available. pic.twitter.com/EdTuvOEOhU
— FBI Detroit (@FBIDetroit) March 12, 2026
FBI personnel are on the scene with partners in Michigan and responding to the apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation out of Temple Israel Synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan. @FBIDetroit
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 12, 2026
1:30 p.m.
According to ABC News, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are responding to the active shooter at Temple Israel.
1:20 p.m.
Michigan State Police said it is aware of an active shooting incident at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township.
"We are asking for community members to stay away from the area to allow for police response. Troopers are also increasing patrols at other places of worship in the district," the statement from MSP reads.
1 p.m.
The Jewish Federation of Detroit released a statement that said they are aware of a "security incident" at Temple Israel.
The full statement says, "We are aware of a security incident at Temple Israel. We are advising all Jewish organizations to go into lockout protocol - nobody in or out of your building. More information to follow."
12:59 pm.
Chopper 7 was over the scene of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township after reports of an active shooter. Video from the chopper showed a massive police response and also black smoke coming out of a part of the synagogue.
You can see the video from Chopper 7 below
12:58 p.m.
Text messages sent to 7 News Detroit said that Bloomfield Hills Schools have been placed in secure mode, and all students and employees are safe and asked to stay inside until further notice.
12:35 p.m.
There are reports of an active shooter at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township. An alert sent out by Farmington Hills police indicated there is an active shooter event and West Bloomfield police also confirmed.
7 News Detroit has crews on the way to the scene and will provide updates as we learn more.
