Temple Israel synagogue ramming attack suspect identified

The suspect shot dead after he drove his vehicle at a synagogue in Michigan has been identified as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a 41-year-old Lebanese immigrant and US citizen.

Ghazali, a resident of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, came to the US on an IR1 immigrant visa as the spouse of a US citizen and was granted US citizenship in 2016, according to the US Department of Homeland Security.

Earlier this month, at least four of his relatives, including his niece and nephew, were killed in an Israeli attack on their home in Lebanon, Mo Baydoun, the mayor of Dearborn Heights, said in a statement.

Ghazali was killed after he drove his vehicle through the doors of Temple Israel in Michigan and down the hallway before being shot by security on Thursday.

Police were seen entering his home after the attack to carry out searches.

The vehicle, which appeared to have a large amount of explosives in the back, caught fire after crashing into the synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, about 30 miles from Detroit.

During the synagogue attack, one security guard was hit by the vehicle and treated at the hospital.

Cassi Cohen, director of strategic development at Temple Israel, had been standing in the hallway where the crash happened.

She said she heard a loud bang, grabbed a few staff members, ran into her office, and locked the door.

“When I heard the crash, I knew it was bad,” Cohen told reporters at the scene.

“Thankfully, we have had many active shooter drills, and our staff is prepared for these situations,” she said.

Temple Israel’s Rabbi Arianna Gordon thanked the security team, law enforcement and early childhood teachers for getting the children out safely and reunited with their parents, calling them the “true rock stars of the day.”

Thirty law-enforcement officers were also being treated at the hospital for smoke inhalation, Michael Bouchard, the Oakland County sheriff, said at a press conference on Thursday evening.

“Everyone deserves to worship in peace, and we must unequivocally condemn any attack on a house of worship or the people within it,” he added.

“This tragedy comes at a time when communities everywhere are confronting rising hate and senseless violence.

“No matter where violence occurs, whether in West Bloomfield or anywhere around the world, harm against innocent people is something we must all stand firmly against. The tensions we see across the world too often find their way into our own neighbourhoods, reminding us how deeply connected our shared safety is.”

Footage showed plumes of smoke billowing out of the synagogue, which has about 12,000 members and a school.

No children or other staff members of the 12,000-member Reform synagogue were injured.

Steven Ingber, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Detroit, admitted his organisation had been in training for a possible attack.

“I’d love to say that I’m shocked, that I’m surprised, but I’m not,” he said of Thursday’s incident.

Oakland County is Michigan’s second-largest county with roughly 1.3 million people, and the majority of Detroit-area Jewish residents live there.