WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Authorities are continuing to investigate a violent incident that took place Thursday afternoon at Temple Israel, where a man drove a truck into the synagogue building before being confronted by security personnel.
According to law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation, the individual suspected of carrying out the attack has been identified by some sources as Ayman Ghazaleh, although officials have not yet publicly confirmed the suspect’s identity. Sources also indicated that the vehicle involved in the incident was registered to a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Lebanon who resides in Dearborn.
The incident occurred shortly after 12:30 p.m. at the synagogue located near Walnut Lake Road and Drake Road in West Bloomfield Township. Authorities said the suspect drove a truck into the building and reportedly continued down a hallway inside the facility.
A member of the synagogue’s security team confronted the suspect and opened fire. During the confrontation, the vehicle caught fire and the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the lead member of the synagogue’s security team was struck by the vehicle when the suspect breached the building. The guard was taken to a hospital with injuries and remains under medical care.
Sheriff Michael Bouchard said no congregants, staff members, or children inside the synagogue were injured during the incident.
Henry Ford Health confirmed that eight first responders were evaluated and treated following the incident at both Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital and Henry Ford Providence Novi Hospital.
Authorities have asked the public to avoid the surrounding area while investigators continue to process the scene.
Law enforcement agencies have also increased patrols and security presence at other Jewish institutions in the region as a precaution.
Federal authorities have joined the investigation. Kash Patel confirmed that personnel from the Federal Bureau of Investigation were deployed to assist local and state authorities in responding to what officials described as an apparent vehicle-ramming and active-shooter incident.
Following the attack, the Jewish Federations of North America issued an advisory urging Jewish organizations across the United States to immediately implement lockout security procedures, restricting entry and exit to buildings as a precaution.
Temple Israel later confirmed in a public statement that all 140 students attending the synagogue’s childhood education center, along with teachers and staff members, were accounted for and safe at the time of the incident.
The synagogue credited its security personnel with confronting the attacker and preventing further harm. The statement also expressed appreciation to nearby Shenandoah Country Club for providing shelter to students and staff immediately after the incident.
Investigators are also reviewing social media activity believed to be linked to the suspect. According to sources familiar with the matter, posts made overnight reportedly included photographs of family members said to have been killed in a recent Israeli strike in the town of Mashghara.
Some posts allegedly referenced relatives, including children and siblings, who were reportedly killed in that strike. Authorities have not confirmed the authenticity of the posts or whether the events referenced had any connection to the incident in Michigan.
Officials said the investigation remains active and that several aspects—including the suspect’s identity, possible motive, and reports of potential explosives seen in the vehicle—are still being examined.
Law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels continue gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses as they work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
