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Key Points
- The suspect was found dead inside his vehicle after driving through the synagogue’s doors.
- US President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the attack, calling it terrible.
An alarming incident unfolded at a Michigan synagogue when an armed man drove his truck into the building, where children were attending preschool classes. The threat was neutralized when security personnel confronted and fatally shot the intruder.
The dramatic scene occurred at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, a suburban area just outside Detroit. As the vehicle crashed into the synagogue, it ignited into flames, adding a fiery intensity to the already tense situation. According to a source who shared details with the Associated Press, the man was armed with a rifle.
Fortunately, none of the synagogue’s staff or the children at the early childhood center sustained any injuries during the ordeal, confirmed Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard. The assailant’s vehicle had barreled through the building’s doors, causing chaos as it entered the hallway.
“He was travelling with purpose down the hall, from my look at the video,” Sheriff Bouchard remarked, indicating the seriousness of the threat. Despite the potential for tragedy, the swift response from security ensured the safety of everyone inside.
“He was travelling with purpose down the hall, from my look at the video,” Bouchard added.
CNN, citing multiple law enforcement sources, said a large cache of explosives was found in the back of the suspect’s car.
Bouchard said investigators were still searching the vehicle as well as the building for any explosives or incendiary materials.
In the minutes after the attack, smoke billowed from the synagogue.
He said one security officer was hit by the vehicle and knocked unconscious but did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
The synagogue has multiple security officers, he said, and at least one fired at the suspect, who was found dead inside his vehicle.
Allison Jacobs, whose 18-month-old daughter is enrolled in Temple Israel’s day care, said she got a message from a teacher saying the children were OK even before she knew what happened.
“There are no words. I was in complete and utter shock,” she told the Associated Press. “I was hoping that it was a false report.”
Temple Israel issued a statement saying all 140 students from its early childhood centre were safe. The incident comes amid a spike in antisemitism in the US over the last two years.
“Antisemitism has no place in Michigan and cannot be tolerated,” Michigan’s attorney general Dana Nessel said in a statement.
“In moments like these, it’s more important than ever that we come together, stand with our neighbours, confront hate whenever it appears, and build stronger communities.”
Bouchard said there had been the “potential” of such an incident happening for two weeks, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, triggering war in the Middle East.
“So there was no lack of preparation,” Bouchard said on CNN. “All Jewish facilities in the area are going to have a lot of extra presence around it until we figure this out.”
US President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the attack, calling it terrible.
“I want to send our love to the Michigan Jewish community and all of the people in the Detroit area following the attack on the Jewish synagogue earlier today,” he said.
In a post on social media, Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar said he was shocked by the attack.
“We are in contact with the Jewish community and local authorities. Anti-Semitism must never be allowed to rear its ugly head.”
— With additional reporting by the Associated Press via the Australian Associated Press.