DHS identifies Ayman Ghazali as suspect in Michigan synagogue truck attack

WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN: The US Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Ayman Mohamad Ghazali carried out the attack on the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township on Thursday, March 12, authorities told Fox News.

Officials said the suspect rammed an explosive-loaded vehicle into the synagogue before opening fire, triggering a large law enforcement response. A security guard suffered minor injuries during the incident, while about 140 children and staff inside the synagogue’s preschool facility were safely evacuated.

Federal investigators described the incident as a targeted attack on the Jewish community while the motive remains under investigation.

Ayman Ghazali identified as suspect in Michigan Temple Israel attack

A Dearborn Heights man whose relatives were recently killed in a military strike in Lebanon is the suspected assailant in Thursday's attack on the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, two sources apprised of the investigation told the Detroit News.

Ayman Ghazali, 41, a restaurant worker in Dearborn Heights, is suspected of driving his truck into the synagogue just after noon Thursday and opening fire before he was shot and killed by security, the sources said. They spoke only on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the details publicly.

Late Thursday night, the US Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Ghazali was the individual who carried out the attack.

Ghazali, a native of Lebanon, was granted US citizenship more than 10 years ago under the Obama administration, according to the department. He entered the US through Detroit on May 10, 2011, on an immigrant visa as the spouse of a US citizen, a DHS statement said. He applied for naturalization on October 20, 2015, and was granted citizenship on February 5, 2016.

Court records show Ghazali’s ex-wife filed for divorce in Wayne County Circuit Court in August 2024. The couple had at least one child, and the divorce was finalized in March 2025.

Authorities were expected to execute a search warrant at Ghazali’s residence in Dearborn Heights, about 25 miles from the synagogue, according to one of the sources.

Sources familiar with the investigation told the Detroit News that Ghazali had at least four relatives, including a sibling, killed days earlier in a military strike in Lebanon. He worked at Hamido Restaurant in Dearborn Heights, according to the sources.

Thursday’s attack prompted a massive law enforcement response across Oakland County, with dozens of police vehicles, SWAT teams and helicopters deployed near the synagogue while authorities searched the surrounding area for possible additional suspects.

Federal agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded as the investigation continued.

Michigan synagogue attack described as targeted assault on Jewish community

Authorities said the suspect drove his truck into the Temple Israel synagogue shortly after noon on March 12 before engaging with security personnel.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said the vehicle caught fire after crashing into the building. The suspect exited the vehicle and began shooting before security personnel confronted him.

A security guard was injured during the exchange and taken to a local hospital for treatment, Bouchard said.

Jennifer Runyan, the special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Detroit field office, described the assault as a “targeted attack on the Jewish community” and called the incident “deeply disturbing and tragic.”

Temple Israel officials said about 140 children, staff members and congregants were in the building at the time but were safely evacuated. The synagogue thanked teachers, security personnel and law enforcement for their response, as well as nearby Shenandoah Country Club, which helped shelter families during the incident.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said no children or staff members were injured in the Michigan synagogue attack.

President Donald Trump also addressed the attack and expressed support for the Jewish community.

"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.