Security Guard Takes Out Shooter In Michigan Synagogue Attack

Police rushed to a large Jewish synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, after an attacker rammed a vehicle into the building and opened fire on Thursday afternoon.

The attacker targeted Temple Israel, which is the largest Reform congregation in the United States. Aerial footage showed smoke pouring out of the building as first responders rushed into the synagogue.

A law enforcement source confirmed to The Daily Wire that the shooter was armed with a rifle and rammed a car into the synagogue before being killed by armed security in a shootout. The vehicle, which the attacker drove through the doors of the building, caught on fire, and the shooter’s body was burned.

A security guard at the synagogue engaged the attacker and “shots were fired,” according to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. The shooter was found dead in the vehicle. One security guard was injured after he was hit by the attacker’s vehicle, but he’s expected to recover, according to Bouchard. Thirty law enforcement officers were also treated at the hospital for smoke inhalation after they ran into the smoke-filled synagogue to identify any potential threats and locate any victims.

The sheriff told reporters that no one else in the synagogue was injured.

Temple Israel also has a preschool, and runs a drive-thru food pantry on Thursdays, according to its website. Sheriff Bouchard said “everyone” in the preschool had been accounted for.

Authorities were still working to secure the area and ensure that there wasn’t a second attacker who might have escaped and fled on foot, Bouchard added. Schools in the area remained in lockdown.

The FBI was also on the scene and is now leading the investigation, calling it a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.”

“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,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.

The FBI held an “Active Shooter Attack Prevention and Preparedness” training for clergy and staff at Temple Israel in January.

President Donald Trump said has been briefed on the attack, which he called “a terrible thing.”

“I want to send our love to the Michigan Jewish community and all of the people in the Detroit area following the attack on the Jewish synagogue earlier today,” Trump said.

Following reports of the attack, Jewish organizations were told to go into lockdown. West Bloomfield has the highest Jewish population in Michigan.

“We are aware of a security incident at Temple Israel. We are advising all Jewish organizations to go into lockout protocol – nobody in or out of your building. More information to follow,” the Jewish Federation of Detroit said.

Aerial footage and video from the ground outside the synagogue showed a massive police presence as officers with long guns walked near the building.

AERIAL VIEW (via @FOX2News): Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan as law enforcement on scene of reported “active shooter.” @livenowfox pic.twitter.com/9icJskNiEK

— Josh Breslow (@JoshBreslowTV) March 12, 2026

After the attack, Temple Israel released a statement on social media, confirming that “all 140 students in our Susan and Harold Loss Early Childhood Center, our amazing staff, our courageous teachers, and our heroic security personnel are all accounted for and safe.”

“As you have no doubt heard, Temple Israel was the victim of a terrorist gunman who was confronted and neutralized by our security personnel who are truly heroes. Our teachers followed their training and kept the children safe and calm,” Temple Israel added. “We are deeply and humbly grateful to our teachers, staff, security, law enforcement, and Shenendoah Country Club that welcomed us, fed us, and sheltered our staff, teachers, children, and parents. What incredible neighbors we have. What incredible police force we have. This note is coming to you before we know anything about our future programming or services, or any investigation. We wanted you to know we are safe, and we love you all.”

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the attack on Michigan’s Jewish community was “heartbreaking.”

“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 added. “Thank you to law enforcement for their swift action.”

In 2022, a Muslim man named Hassan Chokr drove through the synagogue parking lot of Temple Beth El, a large reformed synagogue in nearby Bloomfield Township, Michigan, and shouted antisemitic threats toward preschoolers and their parents. After Chokr was told to leave, he went to a gun store in Dearborn, Michigan, and tried to buy multiple firearms. He was sentenced to 34 months in prison last September.

Last September, a man rammed his truck into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, before getting out and opening fire. Four people were killed in that attack before police killed the attacker.

The attack on Temple Israel in Michigan came shortly after a gunman opened fire at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Three people were wounded in the shooting, and the gunman was killed. The Old Dominion shooter was identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former National Guard soldier who was previously convicted of supporting ISIS. Jalloh was subdued by “a group of brave students,” according to FBI Director Patel.

This is a developing story; refresh the page for updates.