On Thursday in West Bloomfield Township, MI, a pickup truck drove through the doors of Temple Israel and into a hallway while more than 100 preschool-aged children were inside; none were injured. The driver, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, exchanged gunfire with security officers and later died from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators found commercial-grade fireworks and flammable liquid in the vehicle and are probing possible links to individuals tied to Hezbollah and recent family losses in Lebanon. Authorities have called the incident a targeted attack on the Jewish community, but motive remains under active investigation.
Truck Rams Michigan Synagogue While 100+ Preschoolers Inside; Driver Dies After Gunfire
Police tape near the front entrance of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, Friday. - Emily Elconin/Getty Images
On a quiet Thursday morning in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, a pickup truck drove into the parking lot of Temple Israel, remained there for more than two hours, then suddenly accelerated through the building’s front doors, barreled down a hallway and became wedged between the walls as gunfire erupted and the engine caught fire. More than 100 children, all aged 5 and under, were inside the synagogue’s early childhood center; authorities say none were injured.
What Happened
According to FBI and local law enforcement officials, the driver — identified as 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Lebanon — arrived about 10 a.m. He remained parked until roughly 12:15 p.m., when he drove into the building, striking a security guard as he forced his way inside.
People embrace as law enforcement escort families away from the Temple Israel synagogue Thursday, in West Bloomfield Township. - Paul Sancya/AP
The pickup became jammed inside a hallway. Investigators say Ghazali fired through the windshield; security officers returned fire from the front and rear of the vehicle. Authorities say Ghazali later died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. During the confrontation, the truck’s engine compartment ignited, producing smoke that sent dozens of first responders to area hospitals for treatment.
Evidence Found And Purchases
Officials found large quantities of commercial-grade fireworks and multiple jugs of flammable liquid in the vehicle. Records indicate Ghazali purchased about $2,250 worth of fireworks at a Phantom Fireworks store in Livonia two days before the attack.
Smoke rises from Temple Israel on Thursday. - WXYZ
Casualties, Injuries And Response
One lead security officer was struck by the vehicle and treated at a hospital; his injuries were not life-threatening. A total of 63 first responders were treated for smoke inhalation, officials said. Temple staff and trained security personnel moved quickly to shelter and evacuate children; teachers later led preschoolers to safety and parents were reunited with their children.
Investigation And Context
The FBI described the incident as a "targeted act of violence against the Jewish community," but investigators caution that motive remains under active review. Law enforcement officials said Ghazali had no prior criminal record, no registered weapons and had not previously been the subject of an FBI investigation. Federal databases reportedly show contacts linked to individuals known or suspected to be associated with Hezbollah in Lebanon, though Ghazali is not listed as a member of the group and the exact nature of those contacts remains unclear.
Jennifer Runyan, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Detroit field office, gives an update during a news conference in West Bloomfield Township on Friday. - Paul Sancya/AP
Investigators are also examining personal context: local reporting and officials in Lebanon say Ghazali lost family members in an Israeli airstrike days earlier, a detail authorities consider as they continue to probe motive.
Community Reaction
Temple Israel leaders, elected officials and congregants described a community shaken but grateful for the outcome. Rabbi Arianna Gordon and other staff praised the effectiveness of their security procedures and training, crediting them with preventing further harm. State and local officials emphasized the ongoing investigation and the need to avoid speculation while facts are verified.
Note: This account is based on law enforcement statements and local reporting; the investigation remains active and details may change as officials release more information.
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