Ayman Mohamad Ghazali Rams Explosive-Laden Vehicle Into Temple Israel; Security Fatally Shoots Him

On March 12, 2026 a man drove a vehicle through the doors of Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, breaching the building and driving down a hallway before security confronted him; the vehicle caught fire and smoke billowed from the roof as dozens of police and emergency vehicles responded, while all synagogue staff and children in the attached daycare were safely evacuated and reunited with parents.

PBS reported that “Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, 41, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Lebanon, was killed by security after ramming into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township near Detroit and driving down a hallway in a vehicle that then caught fire, according to authorities.”

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GV Wire cited CNN that “a large amount of explosives was found in the back of the suspect’s car.”

EMS1 noted that “Smoke could be seen billowing from the synagogue’s roof,” and the BBC said “All synagogue staff and children in the attached daycare were safely evacuated.”

The Detroit Free Press captured the scene as parents and teachers helped children leave, reporting “'I got you, buddy,' one teacher told a child. More than 100 adults and children – toddlers in their parents' arms and on their shoulders - were also seen walking away from Temple Israel about 3:30 p.m., down Walnut Lake towards a parking lot.”

Authorities and local sources identified the attacker as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a 41-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen born in Lebanon who arrived in the United States in 2011 and later became a citizen; multiple reports said he had recently lost family members in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, a detail officials and village leaders in Mashgharah provided while investigators cautioned that motive was still under investigation.

Paris Match Belgique cited a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson identifying him: “A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson identified the assailant as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, born in Lebanon, who arrived in Detroit in 2011 on a visa granted to spouses of U.S. citizens and who himself became a U.S.”

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The Associated Press reported that “An Israeli airstrike killed four people in the eastern Lebanon town of Mashgharah on March 5, Lebanon’s state agency and the Lebanese Health Ministry reported,” and KEZI relayed CNN reporting that “the suspect’s two brothers and two of their children were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon.”

Local and community outlets also described the loss as a possible factor, with the Arab American News saying “Personal tragedy and emotional distress was behind the attack” according to sources familiar with the suspect, while authorities emphasized the investigation remained in its early stages.

Federal investigators took the lead on the case immediately and described it as a potential targeted act of violence against the Jewish community while bomb squads and explosive-detection teams worked the scene; law enforcement statements and media reports said the FBI was ‘‘leading’ the investigation and that authorities were combing the vehicle for explosives.

WION quoted the FBI’s special agent in charge: “Jennifer Runyan, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit field office, said the attack on Temple Israel was a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.””

ClickOnDetroit likewise said “The FBI is treating the attack at a West Bloomfield Township as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.””

GV Wire relayed CNN reporting that “a large amount of explosives was found in the back of the suspect’s car,” and Bluewin described how “explosive-detection dogs and bomb disposal teams were deployed on site.”

La Tribuna de Albacete also reported the FBI statement that it was “leading” the investigation and considering it an act of violence directed at the Jewish community.

Security personnel on site engaged and fatally shot the attacker, and while no worshippers or children were reported seriously injured, at least one synagogue security officer was struck and briefly knocked unconscious and dozens of first responders were treated for smoke inhalation.

Ynetnews reported simply that “He was shot by security guards at the scene.”

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WDTV5 said “one security officer was hit by the vehicle and knocked unconscious but did not suffer life-threatening injuries.”

The Associated Press noted that “One security officer was hit by the vehicle and knocked unconscious... And 30 law enforcement officers were treated for smoke inhalation.”

Authorities said the suspect was found dead and Michigan leaders — including Governor Gretchen Whitmer and President Trump — were briefed and issued statements; KNAU quoted the governor calling the incident "heartbreaking" and saying Michigan's "Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace."

The attack unfolded amid a wider context of heightened fears and security measures at Jewish institutions in the U.S. as antisemitic incidents have been rising and global conflict has stoked concern; officials and community groups urged extra precautions and some organizations briefly implemented lockdown or lockout protocols.

CNN framed the ramming as “the latest in a series of incidents at a Jewish facility or event in the US and abroad, as the number of antisemitic incidents has been on the rise for the past four years in the US, Anti-Defamation League data shows.”

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The Associated Press noted that “Synagogues around the world have been on edge and ramping up security since the U.S. and Israel launched missile strikes against Iran on Feb. 28.”

The Chicago Tribune reported that “The Jewish Federation of Detroit advised all Jewish organizations in the area ‘to go into lockout protocol — nobody in or out of your building.’”

Local reunifications and community responses were detailed by the AP and other outlets describing parents sprinting to retrieve children and faith centers coordinating with law enforcement.