Ayman Ghazaleh of Dearborn Heights has reportedly been linked to the crash and shooting at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township early Thursday. According to Ryan Grim of Drop Site News, Ghazaleh allegedly rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into the synagogue and opened fire, injuring a security guard during the incident.
Grim, citing a source familiar with the situation, reported that Ghazaleh was originally from Lebanon and that several of his family members there were recently killed in an Israeli airstrike. He added that Ghazaleh had posted photos overnight on WhatsApp of relatives, including young children, who were killed in a recent Israeli attack on the town of Mashghara, Lebanon.
The report added that Ghazaleh had shared photos of his family members on his WhatsApp stories a day before the shooting.
Earlier, Bill Melugin of Fox News reported that the vehicle used in the crash was registered to a naturalized US citizen originally from Lebanon who currently resides in Dearborn.
Despite these reports, authorities have not officially identified the suspect involved in the synagogue shooting.
What We Know About Temple Israel Synagogue Shooting
The FBI said the incident is being investigated as a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community, though investigators have not yet determined a motive. Federal authorities said an attacker armed with a rifle was killed after ramming a vehicle into Temple Israel, one of the nation’s largest Reform Jewish synagogues located in suburban Detroit.
Police earlier described the situation as active after an armed individual drove into the temple.
According to Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, the attacker drove through a set of doors and into an interior hallway, where something inside the vehicle ignited.
Investigators reviewing video footage said the man continued moving through the building after the crash.
“He was traveling with purpose down the hall, from my look at the video,” Bouchard said.
Temple Israel has multiple security officers, and at least one exchanged gunfire with the attacker. Authorities later found the suspect dead inside the vehicle, though the exact cause of death has not yet been determined.
Officials said security personnel engaged the suspect with gunfire, but investigators cannot yet confirm what ultimately caused his death.
The synagogue later praised its security staff, saying their response and adherence to safety protocols helped protect those inside, including children.
