A gunman opened fire after crashing a vehicle into a synagogue in the US state of Michigan on Thursday, prompting a large police response and precautionary security measures in nearby areas. Authorities were called to Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township shortly before 1 pm local time after emergency calls reported that a car had smashed into the synagogue complex.
According to local reports, the vehicle appeared to have intentionally driven into the building before catching fire. Shortly after the crash, gunshots were reported, leading law enforcement officers to treat the situation as an active shooter incident. Police said the suspected gunman had not yet been apprehended and remains at large as officers continue to search the surrounding area.
Aerial footage from the scene showed thick smoke rising from the synagogue’s roof while numerous police vehicles and emergency responders surrounded the building. The Jewish Federation of Detroit later announced on Facebook that institutions affiliated with the federation had been placed under precautionary lockdown following the incident.
The synagogue complex includes the Temple Israel Early Childhood Centre, which operates a kindergarten, preschool, and daycare facility. Temple Israel describes itself as the largest Reform synagogue in North America. The congregation was founded in 1941 and currently serves around 12,000 members representing roughly 3,500 families. The facility is located about 40 miles from downtown Detroit.
In a statement, Kash Patel, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, confirmed that federal agents were responding to what he described as an apparent vehicle-ramming and active shooter situation at the synagogue.
The incident also led to heightened security at nearby schools. The Bloomfield Township Police Department said that schools in the Bloomfield Hills Schools district were placed in “secure mode” while officers investigated the situation and ensured the safety of students and staff.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing as law enforcement agencies continue searching for the suspect and examining the circumstances surrounding the attack.
