A 41-year-old naturalised United States citizen was reported dead after allegedly ramming his car into the Temple Israel Synagogue located in West Bloomfield, Michigan, on Thursday, 12 March. The armed suspect was identified as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, who was born in Lebanon but migrated to the US in 2011.
According to authorities, Ghazali drove his vehicle through the doors of the Temple Israel synagogue and then onto a hallway before it caught fire. It was added that security personnel opened fire on the 41-year-old as he approached the temple and then proceeded to confront him inside, BBC News reported.
Aside from the suspect, a security officer was reportedly hit by Ghazali's vehicle and knocked unconscious. The unnamed officer was brought to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover. Also, 30 officers were checked at the hospital for smoke inhalation after the synagogue was engulfed in flames.
'Targeted Jewish Violence'
The FBI described the incident as a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard branded the incident as a hateful and terrible thing but did not get into specifics.
'We know there's evil in the world,' Bouchard said at a news conference. 'When they show up, that's where training and preparation come in,' he added.
Ghazali's exact cause of death remains unknown for now. Authorities have not officially revealed how the suspect died. Bouchard explained that it was difficult to determine the cause of death because the 41-year-old's car caught fire.
Possible Motive Behind Attack
As of this writing, the motive behind Ghazali's actions have yet to be known. However, it was learned through Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun that Ghazali originally hailed from Mashghara, a town located in Beqaa Valley. Several members of his family were killed in an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon last week, Sky News reported.
'Earlier this month, he lost several members of his own family, including his niece and nephew, in an Israeli attack on their home in Lebanon,' Mayor Baydoun said.
Before his death, some details on Ghazali were shared by The Detroit News. The 41-year-old allegedly worked at the Hamido Restaurant in Dearborn Heights.
His ex-wife filed for divorce at the Wayne County Circuit Court in August 2024 and their separation was granted in 2025. Ghazali reportedly had at least one child according to court records.
US President Donald Trump was briefed about the incident and sent his love to the Michigan Jewish community and all the people in Detroit.
'It's a terrible thing,' Trump said.
There were reportedly 140 students at Temple Israel Synagogue when the incident happened. Staff, teachers and security personnel were also present but thankfully survived the ordeal unharmed.
Suspect's Plan Was Pre-Meditated
Lisa Stern, a member of Temple Israel rushed to the synagogue after getting word of the attack. Considering the synagogue was not visible on the road, she believed the suspect was familiar to the place and knew where to create the biggest damage.
'They obviously knew where they were going because they knew where to do maximum damage,' Stern said.
For now, the actual motive behind Ghazali's shocking attack remains unknown. While the reported death of his family in Lebanon may provide context, it would be best to wait for an official statement from authorities after their investigation concludes.
