The incident was confirmed by the head of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Kash Patel. According to him, an as yet unknown perpetrator deliberately rammed a truck into the synagogue building. “The FBI and the police are on the scene,” he said.
According to FOX5, smoke was billowing from the synagogue and several police vehicles were stationed around its perimeter. According to AP and CNN, the attacker is dead. He lost his life in a shootout with the police.
A school is part of the Temple Israel complex. It was therefore necessary to evacuate a considerable number of children from the scene of the incident. According to initial information, none of them were injured.
“Community members are asked to stay away from the area in question to allow police to respond. Officers are also increasing patrols at other places of worship in the county,” Westbloomfield police said.
Other schools in Bloomfield Hills were on tight security following the incident in West Bloomfield. The police emphasized that it was a precautionary measure. Enhanced security measures also apply to all Jewish communities in the region.
Temple Israel describes itself as a Reform synagogue with about 12,000 members.
FBI personnel are on the scene with partners in Michigan and responding to the apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation out of Temple Israel Synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan. @FBIDetroit
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 12, 2026
