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FBI releases statement as suspect dead after ramming vehicle into Michigan synagogue
The FBI has issued a statement after the suspect who tried to ram his vehicle into a synagogue in Michigan died when security officers opened fire during the incident.
The attack happened on March 12 at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township near Detroit, one of the largest Reform Jewish synagogues in the United States.
It has been reported that the suspect drove his vehicle through the building’s doors and down a hallway before the car caught fire.
Authorities confirmed the suspect died, though early reports did not specify the exact cause.
Later information from officials stated the man had been fatally shot by security officers who confronted him after the crash, AP News reported.
FBI says attack targeted Jewish community
The FBI said it is leading the investigation and described the incident as a "targeted act of violence against the Jewish community".
Jennifer Runyan, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit field office, addressed the incident during a briefing.
"This is a deeply disturbing and tragic incident and our deepest sympathies are with the victims, their family, and the entire Jewish community," she said.
"The FBI is here working with our state, local and federal partners to investigate this incident, and I can confirm that we are leading the investigation right now as a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community."
"As my partners have said, this is an active and ongoing investigation with an active crime scene, and I ask for your patience as we process this evidence and pursue every lead that has come to us and that we have developed thus far," she added.
Runyan also confirmed that the FBI was notified of an "active shooter" at Temple Israel at approximately 12.45pm and deployed a crisis response team that included SWAT officers.
Suspect identified as naturalized US citizen from Lebanon
According to the US Department of Homeland Security, the suspect has been identified as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a 41-year-old naturalized US citizen who was born in Lebanon.
Police say Ghazali came to the United States in 2011 on an immediate relative visa as the spouse of a US citizen and was granted US citizenship in 2016.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said security guards at the synagogue responded quickly as the vehicle approached the building.
The sheriff described the attack as a "hateful, terrible thing." He added: "Everything that was supposed to happen, happened, security did their job, and then the responders did theirs."
Speaking later, Bouchard said: "We know there's evil in the world. When they show up, that's where training and preparation come in."
Investigators have not yet identified a motive. "What drove this person into action has to be determined by the investigation," the sheriff said.
Temple Israel houses an early childhood center, and officials said 140 children were inside the building when the attack occurred. None of the staff, teachers or children were injured.
One security officer was struck by the vehicle and knocked unconscious but did not suffer life threatening injuries.
Authorities also said 30 law enforcement officers were treated for smoke inhalation after the vehicle caught fire.
Cassi Cohen, director of strategic development at Temple Israel, said she was near the hallway where the crash occurred. "When I heard the crash, I knew it was bad," Cohen said.
She said classrooms were close to the crash site and that staff immediately acted to protect the children. "Thankfully, we have had many active shooter drills, and our staff is prepared for these situations," she shared.
Rabbi Arianna Gordon praised those who responded to the incident, calling the security team, law enforcement and teachers the "true rock stars of the day."