The FBI has classified the March 12 attack on Temple Israel, a synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, as an act of terrorism inspired by Hezbollah. Ayman Muhammad Ghazali, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Lebanon, rammed his truck into the synagogue before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the attack.
Key Takeaways
The FBI has classified the March 12 attack on a Michigan synagogue as a Hezbollah-inspired act of terrorism. Ayman Muhammad Ghazali rammed his truck into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the attack.
- FBI confirms Hezbollah inspiration for the attack, targeting the Jewish community
- Ghazali purchased an AR-style rifle and ammunition days before the attack
- Online history included searches for violent content and pro-Hezbollah ideology
- Ex-wife warned police about Ghazali's distress after family members died in Lebanon airstrike
A security guard was injured and multiple officers were treated for smoke inhalation, but no other fatalities were reported. According to FBI Special Agent Jennifer Runyan, Ghazali's online history included searches for videos about shootouts, bullets, and 'news coverage of an Iranian fatwa for total jihad against the US military'.
Ghazali had purchased an AR-style rifle along with 10 rifle magazines and about 300 rounds of ammunition in the days leading up to the attack. His ex-wife called police around the time of the attack to warn that he seemed distraught and suicidal after losing several family members during an Israeli airstrike in his native Lebanon. The strike occurred days into the Iran war with Israel and the U.S., which began on February 28.
In communications sent to his sister just before the attack, Ghazali stated that he intended to 'kill as many of them as I possibly can'. An FBI review of his online activity dating back to January revealed a recurring search history involving pro-Hezbollah and Iranian news channels. However, while Ghazali consumed pro-Hezbollah ideology prior to the attack, the FBI has not been able to verify if he was a member of Hezbollah.
Runyan detailed that Ghazali began planning the attack on March 9, researching local synagogues and attempting to purchase weapons. He later bought an AR-style rifle, magazines, and ammunition. On March 10, he researched locations affiliated with Israelis in Michigan, used his new rifle at a shooting range, and purchased fireworks. The following day, he posted photos online and organized his truck, making several runs to the gas station before conducting a final search for 'what time is lunch at Temple Israel'.
The attack was planned to coincide with lunch at the temple, where about 140 people were evacuated. Temple Israel has since published photos showing extensive damage caused by the vehicle being set ablaze.
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