The suspect in Thursday’s attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, has been preliminarily identified as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, according to three law enforcement sources who spoke to Fox News.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the name to Fox News and provided details of his immigration history.
Officials said Ghazali was born in Lebanon in 1985 and entered the United States on May 10, 2011 on an IR1 immigrant visa as the spouse of a U.S. citizen.
According to DHS, Ghazali applied for naturalization on Oct. 20, 2015 and became a U.S. citizen on Feb. 5, 2016. Authorities say Ghazali lived near Dearborn, Michigan.
Law enforcement officials cautioned the identification remains preliminary as investigators continue confirming the suspect’s identity following the attack.
Fox News' Bill Melugin contributed to this reporting.
Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, saying it reflects the global threat of antisemitism.
“Antisemitism knows no limits or boundaries,” Netanyahu wrote on X.
“Israel is attacked because it is the Jewish state. Temple Israel in Detroit was attacked today because it is a Jewish house of worship.”
Netanyahu also praised the synagogue’s security personnel for stopping the attacker.
“I salute the brave security personnel at the synagogue for their swift action. It saved lives,” he said.
The Israeli leader added that he is grateful to President Donald Trump for taking a firm stance against antisemitic attacks in the United States.
Henry Ford Health said its emergency teams are treating eight first responders following Thursday’s attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
“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,” the hospital system said in a statement.
The hospital did not provide details about the injuries and directed further questions to law enforcement.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said earlier that one person was confirmed injured, a security guard who was struck by the suspect’s truck.
Bouchard also noted that heavy smoke filled the synagogue hallway, forcing officers to enter the building wearing gas masks, raising the possibility some responders were treated for smoke inhalation.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said during a later press conference Thursday evening that the number of affected responders rose significantly, with about 30 law enforcement officers taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation after entering the building.
“We’ve had 30 law enforcement officers taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation,” Bouchard said, noting the synagogue hallway became “engulfed in flames” and filled with “terrible, terrible smoke” after the suspect’s vehicle caught fire inside the building.
{{#rendered}}The FBI said it is investigating the attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.”
Jennifer Runyan, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office, said the bureau has taken the lead in the investigation.
“I can confirm that we are leading the investigation right now as a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community,” Runyan said during the Thursday evening press conference.
Authorities said one suspect was involved and is now deceased, and confirmed no congregants or children were killed in the attack.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said the unnamed suspect drove a vehicle into the building, where security personnel engaged and stopped the threat.
Officials said a security guard was injured after being struck by the vehicle, and 30 responding officers were treated for smoke inhalation after the vehicle caught fire inside the building.
Runyan said the FBI deployed more than 100 agents and analysts, along with bomb technicians, SWAT teams and evidence response units to process the scene and pursue leads.
“This is an active and ongoing investigation with an active crime scene,” she said. “We ask for patience as we process the evidence and pursue every lead.”
Runyan did not confirm a suspect ID or motive at this time.
The vehicle used in Thursday’s attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, is registered to a naturalized U.S. citizen from Lebanon who lives in Dearborn, according to three law enforcement sources who spoke to Fox News.
Authorities cautioned that investigators can only confirm the vehicle registration at this time, noting the suspect’s body was badly burned.
Law enforcement officials are still working to determine whether the individual who died at the scene matches the name tied to the vehicle registration.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Fox News' Bill Melugin contributed to this reporting.
President Donald Trump addressed the attack on a synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, during remarks at a White House Women’s History Month event Thursday.
“Before we begin, I want to send our love to the Michigan Jewish community and all of the people in Detroit, Detroit area, following the attack on the Jewish synagogue early today,” Trump said.
The president said he has been “fully briefed” on the incident.
“It’s a terrible thing,” Trump added. “But it goes on. We’re going to get right down to the bottom of it.”
Authorities say the suspect, reported deceased, rammed a vehicle into Temple Israel before being confronted by security as the investigation continues.
{{#rendered}}Temple Israel in West Bloomfield said “everyone is safe” after what the synagogue described as a “terrorist gunman” attacked the building Thursday.
In a message to congregants, the synagogue said all 140 students in its early childhood center, along with staff and teachers, were accounted for and unharmed.
“Temple Israel was the victim of a terrorist gunman who was confronted and neutralized by our security personnel who are truly heroes,” the synagogue wrote.
The statement praised staff and security for protecting children during the incident.“Our teachers followed their training and kept the children safe and calm,” the message said.
Temple Israel also thanked local law enforcement and nearby Shenendoah Country Club, which helped shelter and feed staff, students and parents during the response.
“What incredible neighbors we have. What incredible police force we have,” the synagogue wrote.
Kash Patel told Fox News Digital that the attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan “could have ended far worse” but said preparation and quick action helped save lives.
“Today’s attack at Temple Israel Synagogue in Michigan could have ended far worse — but thanks to preparation and the courage of those on the ground, lives were saved,” Patel said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Patel said the Federal Bureau of Investigation Detroit Field Office had recently conducted active-shooter preparedness training with clergy and staff at Temple Israel, focusing on the “Run, Hide, Fight” response principles.
“These trainings often go unnoticed — but moments like this remind us exactly why they matter,” Patel said.
Patel also thanked law enforcement officers who responded to the scene.
“Most importantly, thank you to the brave law enforcement officers on the scene who engaged the attacker and undoubtedly saved lives,” he said.
Fox News Digital's Mike Ruiz contributed to this reporting.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, calling it an act of “antisemitic violence.”
“The attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan is horrifying,” Mamdani wrote on X. “My thoughts are with the congregation and all who are shaken by this act of antisemitic violence.”
Mamdani said he is closely monitoring the situation and announced that, out of an abundance of caution, the NYPD will continue deploying high-visibility patrols to Jewish religious and cultural institutions across the five boroughs.
The statement comes just days after New York City authorities responded to an alleged ISIS-inspired terror plot outside Gracie Mansion, where homemade explosive devices were thrown during a protest.
{{#rendered}}President Donald Trump has been briefed on the attack at Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
“The President has been briefed on the shooting in Michigan,” Leavitt told Fox News.
At the same time, Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agents are assisting local authorities at the scene.
“Our Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents are on the scene assisting local authorities at Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan,” Bondi wrote on X.
“Please pray.”
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard and West Bloomfield Police Chief Dale Young said the suspect in Thursday’s attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan rammed a vehicle into the synagogue before being confronted by armed security guards.
Young told reporters the suspect “breached the building” and “drove in through doors with a vehicle,” with surveillance showing the vehicle “traveling with purpose down the hall.”
Security personnel inside the synagogue “engaged the suspect with gunfire,” authorities said.
Officials said no injuries have been confirmed among congregants or staff.
Investigators are still clearing the vehicle and building “out of an abundance of caution” for possible explosives while determining whether anyone else may have been involved.
Authorities said the FBI may ultimately take the lead in the investigation as officials continue reviewing video and gathering evidence.
A senior federal law enforcement source confirms to Fox News the suspect in the West Bloomfield synagogue incident rammed a car into the building, exited with a rifle and exchanged gunfire with armed security, who shot and killed him.
The source said the vehicle caught fire inside the building, and the suspect’s body was badly burned. The investigation is ongoing.
Fox News' Bill Melugin and John Roberts contributed to this reporting.
{{#rendered}}Michigan State Police are responding to an "active shooting" at a Reform Jewish synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
The shooting, which unfolded at about 12:30 p.m. local time Thursday, took place at Temple Israel, according to state police.
Bloomfield Township Police confirmed Bloomfield Hills schools are in secure mode.
"This is out of precaution, there are no known threats to Bloomfield Hills schools at this time," the agency wrote in a statement.
Neighboring agency Ann Arbor Police Department said its officers will also increase patrols and respond to local houses of worship and schools throughout the city as a precautionary measure.
"We are asking for community members to stay away from the area to allow for police response," state police wrote in a statement. "Troopers are also increasing patrols at other places of worship in the district."
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
Reporting by Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch.
Coverage for this event has ended.