On Thursday afternoon, an unidentified suspect rammed their vehicle into Temple Israel in Michigan.
Following the suspect ramming their vehicle into the synagogue, the gunman proceeded to open fire inside the building.
Here’s the scene:
🚨 BREAKING: The K-12 school at Temple Israel was NOT IN SESSION today, where an assailant just rammed their car into the building before shots rang out, per Fox News
Thank GOD! 🙏🏻
That doesn't mean nobody was in the synagogue, but children were mostly absent today at the… pic.twitter.com/I5jINaRdX3
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 12, 2026
Fox News was the first to cover the shooting:
Federal and state authorities are responding to an “active shooting” at a Reform Jewish synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, after a suspect allegedly rammed a vehicle into the house of worship and opened fire.
The shooting, which unfolded at about 12:30 p.m. local time Thursday, took place at Temple Israel, according to Michigan State Police.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she is tracking reports and working with Michigan State Police to get more information.
“This is heartbreaking,” Whitmer wrote in an X post. “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.”
Bloomingfield Township Police confirmed Bloomfield Hills schools are in secure mode.
“This is out of precaution, there are no known threats to Bloomfield Hills schools at this time,” the agency wrote in a statement.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed FBI agents are on the ground:
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
🚨 BREAKING: An ACTIVE SHOOTER has just been reported at Temple Israel, a synagogue and school in West Bloomfield, Michigan
All schools and places of worship in the area are now on LOCKDOWN
CasuaIties unknown at this time.
Say a prayer for the kids 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/7yIUGTCvCt
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 12, 2026
NBC News reported details on what Temple Israel is:
Temple Israel of Bloomfield, Michigan, calls itself “the nation’s largest Reform synagogue,” accounting for 1 percent of the entire Reform movement in North America.
About 3,500 families comprise the 12,000-member congregation that was first organized in 1941, according to the temple.
“At Temple Israel, our mission is to be an inclusive congregation that demonstrates respect for the needs of all,” according to the synagogue, which is about 40 miles from downtown Detroit. “Our Jewish values embody the teaching that every human being is created in the image of God.”
