WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — Authorities say an armed suspect is dead after the person rammed a vehicle into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township on Thursday afternoon, which led to a security guard engaging the suspect in gunfire.
Officials say they were called around 12:19 p.m. and arrived to the temple off of Walnut Lake Road near Drake Road in under five minutes.
Watch our coverage below:
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard says a lead member of the temple's security team was hit by the vehicle when the suspect breached the building. No other injuries of staff or children have been reported. Henry Ford Health confirms that Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital and Henry Ford Providence Novi Hospital are caring for eight first responders.
People are asked to avoid the area at this time. We're told that police agencies are also responding to other temples in the area to provide security out of an abundance of caution.
Video: Chopper 7 at the scene
Read the latest updates below
6:28 p.m.
During an evening news conference, Sheriff Michael Bouchard says 30 first responders are being treated for smoke inhalation. He said the area of the building where the incident occurred was "engulfed." He said it has not yet been determined what triggered the fire.
You can watch the full news conference below:
The FBI announced two tiplines as part of the investigation. The digital media tipline is fbi.gov/westbloomfieldattack, and you can also call 1-800-CALL-FBI
5:36 p.m.
A man who was working at Temple Israel and called 911 after witnessing the suspect breach the building spoke with 7 News Detroit.
Dustin Shaw says he was toward the back of the building setting up for an event when he heard “a huge crash.”
“So, me and my coworkers, we walk over and someone screams out ‘call 911,’ so I called 911 immediately and I saw someone lying on the ground and that person happened to be one of the head of security who got hit by the car,” Shaw said.
Watch our conversation with Dustin Shaw below:
Shaw says he heard gunshots ring out right after.
“Obviously, the guy who drove the truck into the temple was armed, so our guy did our job, so my hat’s off to him. I’m so happy that everyone made it out safe and that the children were OK and everyone got evacuated,” Shaw said.
He described the moments as tragic and shocking.
“For our temple to be targeted, it makes me so sad,” Shaw said.
He says when he got into his car and drove away from the scene, he saw multiple police cars rushing to the scene.
5 p.m.
Boris Krasnow, a parent whose 1-year-old son was at the temple’s day care when the attack happened, spoke with 7 News Detroit over the phone.
“It’s just really surreal. I mean, you hear about this stuff all the time, but in the moment, it’s strange how almost calm you are because you can’t afford to panic. Just keep refreshing your phone trying to find out what’s going on,” Krasnow said.
Watch the conversation with Boris Krasnow below:
He says his family wasn’t able to relax until after they learned the suspect was killed.
“I think the hard part was all the mixed information we were getting. At one point, we heard we were able to go get my son. We thought things were good. But then we looked it up and we didn’t see that they said that they had the shooter, so it was still an active situation,” Krasnow said.
4:24 p.m.
Henry Ford Health says two of its hospitals are treating eight first responders after the attack on Temple Israel.
Full statement below:
"The emergency medicine teams at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital and Henry Ford Providence Novi Hospital are currently caring for eight first responders following this afternoon’s incident at Temple Israel. Further requests for updates on their conditions should be directed to law enforcement.
Our hearts go out to the community at Temple Israel and anyone who is impacted by this this frightening event. There is absolutely no place for violence in our community."
4:10 p.m.
Temple Israel has posted a statement on their Facebook page. It reads as follows:
Dear Temple Israel Family,
Everyone is safe. 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.
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.
3:15 p.m.
The shelter in place for Walnut Lake and Drake has been lifted. People are asked to avoid Walnut Lake between Farmington and Halstead.
2:25 p.m.
Senator Elissa Slotkin spoke with members of the press in Washington about the situation.
RAW VIDEO: Senator Elissa Slotkin speaks on incident at Temple Israel
Per ABC News and Scripps News, Slotkin said:
I know this place very well. Grew up not far from there. And law enforcement are still securing the scene. I'm not going to get ahead of the police. We have to listen to the warnings that they are putting out to the local community, that includes friends and family of mine who are sheltering in place and follow law enforcement.
But I will just say everyone deserves the right to worship in peace. Everyone and an act of antisemitism, an act of violence, of hate, should be treated to the fullest extent of the law. And I'm so sick of another one of these incidents all the time in my community, across the country. And I just -- I think we need to acknowledge that we have a problem, and I'm just sick about it.
So we will keep people posted. More will come out. We will learn about the intentions of this madman. But in the meantime, this is very personal, and I am -- I'm just so sick of communities of all kinds, not being able to worship in peace and this time the Jewish community is again on the receiving end of abhorrent violence and I'm just -- I'm over it.
2:46 p.m.
The Jewish Federation of Detroit has released an updated statement:
"We have received word that while there is still a large security presence at Temple Israel, all other Jewish organizations are no longer required to be in lockdown or lockout protocol. There will continue to be a strong police and security presence throughout the community.
We ask community members to refrain from speculation or sharing unconfirmed information - especially on social media."
2:36 p.m.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard confirmed that the suspected shooter at Temple Israel is dead. He said the suspect drove into the building and was engaged by security.
The sheriff said the suspect was found deceased in the vehicle. He said it's been complicated due to fire involving the vehicle.
“No kids — this is the important thing — no kids or no staff was injured whatsoever,” Bouchard said, adding that a person on the temple’s security team was hit by the vehicle.
That person was taken to the hospital for treatment.
“It’s been complicated because there’s been some fire to say the least with that vehicle. We believe that individual is deceased,” Bouchard said.
Watch the latest from Sheriff Bouchard in the video player below
Officials are still working to clear the area.
2:25 pm.
The Associated Press is reporting that the man who rammed Temple Israel was armed with a rifle, and he was killed by security.
2:23 p.m.
Just last week, 7 News Detroit Reporter Ruta Ulcinaite spoke with Temple Israel Rabbi Josh Bennett amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Bennett said that the synagogue was ramping up security.
You can see their full interview in the video below
2:22 p.m.
Dearborn police have issued a statement on the situation, saying they are aware of what is happening. They also say, out of an abundance of caution, they are increasing patrols around schools and houses of worship in that community. They stress these are proactive measures and there is no known threat at this time.
2:10 p.m.
AP is reporting that their sources say the suspect is dead. 7 News Detroit is being told by law enforcement officials at the scene that they are being told that as well.
When asked about reports that the suspect was dead, ATF Special Agent in Charge James Dier said, "That's consistent reporting, that's consistent with everything I've been told."
Dier also addressed the ATF's role in the investigation, saying, "This is a potential mass casualty incident involving a burning vehicle, destruction to a temple, by the vehicle, as well as a rifle that was involved. So we're gonna bring our expertise to the table with our arson investigators, we've got certified arson investigators across the country, we've got 5 here in Michigan that are on scene right now, we've also got our certified bomb techs and our certified explosive experts on scene as well, just in case there's anything inside that vehicle. We're gonna assist the Michigan State Police and the FBI in that fire scene. We're gonna recover the firearm that was involved in this, trace it to the very last purchaser of that firearm, where it was imported from, and try to determine how this individual came into possession of it."
1:54 p.m.
A neighbor whose family was home at the time of the shooting described what he heard and saw.
"My wife was home and she was cleaning the bathroom upstairs, and she heard sirens coming in and out," Sheldon told us. "She was like 'what is that?' and she heard a couple of fireworks noises. She called me and she said 'I don't know if it's gunshots or something', and then after that, I was like 'I have to go home' and I drove home and this is all that happened.
"There were so many cop cars, different cities and everything," Sheldon continued. "All my friends were texting me to see if everything was okay...I think with those two houses, they took in some kids and some teachers but the other neighbors were telling me that they were okay, so hopefully that's the case."
1:47 p.m.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued a statement about the situation. You can read it below:
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) March 12, 2026
I am tracking reports of an active shooting at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. We are working with Michigan State Police to get more information.
This is 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.
Thank you to law enforcement for their swift action.
1:40 p.m.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard provided a brief update to the media about an hour after reports of an active shooter at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township.
You can watch the update from Bouchard in the video below
Right now, Bouchard said that no one at the moment has been confirmed to be hurt, except, potentially, the shooter.
Bouchard said the preliminary investigation found that a suspect came to the temple, security saw him, and engaged in a gunfire with the suspect.
"We're not getting any active stimulus at the moment," Bouchard said. They are looking to see if there is more than one person.
Police said there is a shelter-in-place for a one-mile radius from the temple as they continue to investigate.
1:38 p.m.
The FBI office in Detroit and FBI Director Kash Patel have both responded to the situation on X, the social media network formerly known as Twitter.
The FBI Detroit Field Office is responding to reports of an active shooter situation in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Additional updates will be provided on social media as they become available. pic.twitter.com/EdTuvOEOhU
— FBI Detroit (@FBIDetroit) March 12, 2026
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. @FBIDetroit
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 12, 2026
1:30 p.m.
According to ABC News, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are responding to the active shooter at Temple Israel.
1:20 p.m.
Michigan State Police said it is aware of an active shooting incident at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township.
"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," the statement from MSP reads.
1 p.m.
The Jewish Federation of Detroit released a statement that said they are aware of a "security incident" at Temple Israel.
The full statement says, "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."
12:59 pm.
Chopper 7 was over the scene of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township after reports of an active shooter. Video from the chopper showed a massive police response and also black smoke coming out of a part of the synagogue.
You can see the video from Chopper 7 below
12:58 p.m.
Text messages sent to 7 News Detroit said that Bloomfield Hills Schools have been placed in secure mode, and all students and employees are safe and asked to stay inside until further notice.
12:35 p.m.
There are reports of an active shooter at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township. An alert sent out by Farmington Hills police indicated there is an active shooter event and West Bloomfield police also confirmed.
7 News Detroit has crews on the way to the scene and will provide updates as we learn more.
