The suspected gunman involved in a shooting incident at the Temple Israel synagogue on Thursday (March 12) is dead after a shootout with security, according to media reports and law enforcement officials.
Authorities say a suspect believed to be armed with a rifle was killed during a confrontation at a synagogue in the Detroit area.
Officials continue to investigate the incident as federal and local law enforcement remain on scene.
Security hits the suspect
According to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, synagogue officers confronted the suspect shortly after he arrived at the building.
“When the suspect came to the synagogue, security saw him and attacked him,” Bouchard told reporters near the scene.
Authorities have also confirmed that the surrounding area, which includes the school, has been safely evacuated.
A vehicle crash was reported
Preliminary information indicates that the incident began with an intentional vehicle crash.
The suspect reportedly drove around security bollards before crashing the vehicle into the front door of the building, causing a fire. A confrontation with the synagogue security followed shortly thereafter.
Investigators are working to determine the full sequence of events.
Federal agents are assisting local authorities
Local authorities are being assisted at the scene by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agents had been deployed.
“@FBI and @ATFHQ agents are on scene assisting local authorities at Temple Israel Synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Please pray,” Bondi wrote on X.
Kash Patel also confirmed the federal response.
“FBI personnel are on scene with partners in Michigan responding to an apparent vehicle crash and active shooter situation at Temple Israel Synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan,” he wrote on X.
