A suspect in an attack on a synagogue in the Detroit area is dead after ramming a vehicle into the building and being confronted by synagogue security, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office says law enforcement responded to an “active shooter situation” at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Thursday afternoon.
Bouchard said about 1:35 p.m. Thursday that shots were fired in the area and that area residents within a mile of the location have been asked to shelter in place.
CBS Detroit
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said about 1:35 p.m. Thursday that shots were fired in the area and that residents within a mile of the location were asked to shelter in place.
The suspect was not in custody as of 1:35 p.m., Bouchard said at the time. Two law enforcement sources later told CBS News the suspect was confronted and killed by synagogue security after ramming a vehicle into the synagogue.
There were no confirmed injuries “except potentially the shooter,” the sheriff said.
Bouchard said a vehicle was involved in the incident but did not provide additional details.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that FBI personnel were at the scene and responding.
Temple Israel is located on 5725 Walnut Lake Road near the intersection of Walnut Lake and Drake roads. According to its website, it is the largest Reform synagogue in the United States.
Multiple agencies, including West Bloomfield police, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police, responded to the scene. Emergency personnel were working to clear Temple Israel.
“Don’t come to the area. It’s active, it’s busy,” Bouchard said to those who otherwise would not be in the area.
CBS News Detroit
The Jewish Community Center is where parents of Temple Israel students can meet up with their children, officials said.
West Bloomfield High School, West Bloomfield Middle School, Doherty Elementary School and Bloomfield Hills Schools were in secure mode.
The Jewish Federation of Detroit asked all Jewish organizations to go into “lockout protocol.”
CBS News Detroit
“We are asking for community members to stay away from the area to allow for police response. Troopers are also increasing patrols at other places of worship in the district,” Michigan State Police reported.
The Ann Arbor Police Department said it was aware of reports of the incident in West Bloomfield. Ann Arbor Police Chief Andre Anderson directed officers to increase patrols and respond to local houses of worship and schools throughout the city as a precautionary safety measure, the police department said.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement saying she was monitoring the situation.
“Michigan’s Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace. Antisemitism and violence have no place in Michigan. I am hoping for everyone’s safety,” Whitmer said.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a statement saying in part, “Antisemitism has no place in Michigan and cannot be tolerated. In moments like these, it’s more important than ever that we come together, stand with our neighbors, confront hate whenever it appears, and build stronger communities.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Pat Milton and
Paula Wethington
contributed to this report.
