WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A truck was intentionally crashed into a temple in West Bloomfield Township on Thursday.
Here’s everything we know so far:
Where this happened
The attack happened early Thursday morning, March 12, 2026, at Temple Israel, which is at 5725 Walnut Lake Road in West Bloomfield Township.
The Jewish temple is near the intersection of Walnut Lake and Drake roads. It has a preschool program and a large congregation.
Truck intentionally crashes into building, catches fire
Police at the scene said someone intentionally drove a truck into the temple.
“He drove in through doors with a vehicle,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.
After it crashed into the building, the truck caught fire, and smoke could be seen billowing out from several locations, including the roof and doorways.
The truck came to rest in a hallway of the building, Bouchard said.
Suspect killed
Michigan State Police called the situation an “active shooting incident,” but Local 4 learned around 2 p.m. Thursday that the suspect has been killed.
Click here to read the full story.
The Department of Homeland Security identified the suspect as 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, an American citizen who was born in Lebanon.
1 security member hurt
Bouchard said at 2:30 p.m. that no children or staff members were hurt in the attack.
“No kids or no staff was injured whatsoever,” Bouchard said. “So we have no victims other than one of the lead security people was hit by the car and was taken to the hospital for treatment. That individual should be OK.”
The security worker was knocked unconscious and pulled from the area by his team. Bouchard reiterated that that person is expected to be OK.
Henry Ford Health released the following statement about caring for first responders:
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.
Henry Ford Health
Temple Israel: All students, staff safe
The temple posted the following statement at 3:47 p.m. Thursday, confirming that everyone is safe.
Click here to read the full story. The entire statement is below.
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.
Temple Israel, West Bloomfield
What police said
Click here to read a full breakdown of what police said during the first briefing.
When Bouchard spoke on Thursday afternoon, he describe the preliminary information about the attack.
“It appears at least one individual came to the temple, security saw him, engaged him in gunfire,” Bouchard said. “The scene, we’re not getting any active stimulus at the moment. We have everything here that we need, including medics and tactical gear. We’re looking to see if there’s more than one person. We’re trying to figure that out.”
Shelter-in-place
Bouchard asked residents within a mile radius of the temple to shelter in place because the scene is active.
He said the situation is a work in progress, and anyone who has nothing to do with the situation is asked to stay away from the area.
Reunification spot
Bouchard said at 1:35 p.m. that everyone has been moved out of the school, and reunification will be at the JCC. Parents can go there to pick up their kids.
If you aren’t a parent or guardian, you should not go to the area.
Too early to tell if terror attack
Police aren’t sure yet if this was a terrorist attack. Bouchard said it’s still too early in the investigation.
He said he and West Bloomfield police Chief Dale Young have been in contact for a few weeks about security at places of worship.
All Jewish facilities in the area are going to have a lot of extra presence until this situation is figured out, according to Bouchard.
‘Targeted act of violence’
The FBI has taken the lead on the investigation and is treating it as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan said they wouldn’t discuss details about the suspect or a possible motive because the investigation is ongoing.
A press conference with more information is expected to take place Friday morning.
The FBI asked anyone with photos or video of the incident to submit them through the FBI digital tip channel or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Tips can be made through the FBI website here.
School shelter-in-place lifted
Schools in the area were sheltering in place during the police response, but that was lifted around 3:40 p.m. Thursday.
High school and middle school students are being dismissed, and elementary schools are expected to dismiss at their regular time.
Buses have been dispatched, and the district is asking for patience.
All evening activities and events remain canceled for Thursday night.
Here’s what the district sent out before the shelter-in-place was lifted:
We have been alerted by the West Bloomfield Police Department there was an ongoing police incident at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield.
Police are asking for community members to stay away from the area to allow for police response.
The activity is not in any West Bloomfield School District building.
This means for ALL buildings:
-Parents will not be able to pick up their children until we have an all clear from the police
-Students will remain in the building and shelter in place, no one in or out of the building
-All evening activities and meetings are cancelled
-Buses will not be running until we receive a notification from the police
We will continue to keep families and staff informed as we receive additional information from the West Bloomfield Police Department. As we learn more, we will continue to communicate.
West Bloomfield School District
Member of temple describes scene
A member of the Jewish temple spoke with Local 4, describing the scene.
The congregation member, Lisa, was not in the temple at the time of the crash and shooting, but knows a social worker who’s in the building, has close friends there and knows people who have children at the temple’s daycare.
“I’m scared to death for my friends,” Lisa said. “I’ve never seen anything like this. I’ve never seen this number of police out here. My first thought, to be honest, were the children. There’s a whole daycare program in there. Parents and grandparents have been coming, and they’re scared to death for their children. I’m standing here to make sure my friends are okay.
“This is senseless; we have to be better than this. This is not okay. I want everyone to be okay.”
Click here to read the full story.
Jewish Federation of Detroit statement
Here is a statement from the Jewish Federation of Detroit at 3:40 p.m. Thursday.
We are extraordinarily grateful and relieved that no children or congregants were seriously injured in today’s assault at Temple Israel. We extend our most sincere thanks to the first responders and safety personnel for their courage, professionalism and swift action.
Our thoughts are with the Temple Israel Director of Security who was injured during the incident, and we wish him a full and speedy recovery. We are also deeply appreciative of our local law enforcement agencies and Jewish Community Security, Inc. for their ongoing dedication to keeping our Jewish community safe.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to vigilance and security, even as we continue to live proud, vibrant Jewish lives—at our temples and synagogues, in our schools, and throughout our Jewish organizations. Finally, we thank the community for the outpouring of support, compassion, and concern during this difficult moment.
Jewish Federation of Detroit
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer statement
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement:
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.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Click here to read the full story.
Oakland County prosecutor statement
Here’s a statement from Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald:
I stand with the Temple Israel congregation as they process the trauma of today’s horrific act. I’m also grateful for law enforcement’s quick and decisive response today to assist victims. Parents should not have to worry when they drop their kids off at school, and children deserve to feel safe. The attack today will impact Temple Israel families for the rest of their lives. We must make clear that hate and antisemitism have no place in Oakland County. While we are still learning about today’s attack, we know that vigilance and quick action can save lives. If you see concerning behavior, please call your local police.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald
Police response
Local 4 saw officers from Plymouth, Bloomfield Hills, Farmington Hills, Michigan State Police, and several ambulances at the scene.
Aerial video
Aerial video in the aftermath of the crash showed smoke billowing out of the building from multiple locations.
People could be seen running out of the exits.
Fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances flooded the scene.
Here’s aerial footage from the scene:
Here’s more of our coverage: