A suspect armed with a rifle is dead after they rammed a vehicle into a Michigan synagogue, The Associated Press reports.
The motive for the incident, which took place at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, is still under investigation, according to local authorities. The major synagogue also operates a preschool, according to MLive. When asked about the students, Bouchard told reporters that “everybody’s been moved out of the school.”
A text circulated to synagogue members said that “all staff and students have been accounted for,” according to The New York Times.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and multiple other agencies are at the scene. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed federal agents are also responding to the incident, which he described as an “apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation.”
Police in nearby Ann Arbor have also said they’re aware of the incident. There is “no known threat” to the city at this time, the agency said.
In pictures: Police respond to Temple Israel
‘All kids and staff accounted for’ at synagogue: report
The New York Times reports that synagogue members were sent a text indicating “all kids and staff” have been accounted for following the shooting.
“Lockdown is still in place, but the active shooter has been taken down,” the text said. “Lockdown will be in place until they know the shooter acted alone. All kids and staff accounted for.”
Suspect dead: reports
The suspected shooter who opened fire at Temple Israel is dead, according to the Associated Press.
Earlier, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard told reporters: “Nobody at the moment has been confirmed to be hurt, except potentially the shooter.”
Witness says she’s ‘scared to death’ for her friends
Lisa Stern told NBC News affiliate WDIV she’s standing outside Temple Israel following reports of the shooting. Her friend, a social worker, is inside the building, she said.
“I’m scared to death for my friends,” she told the outlet.
“This is senseless. It’s senseless,” she added. “We have to be better than this.
Congresswoman speaks out following reports of shooting
Representative Haley Stevens said she’s getting reports “in real time” about the shooting at Temple Israel.
“To everyone in Michigan’s 11th district, continue to follow the guidance of local law enforcement,” she wrote on X. “To the Jewish American community in Michigan and beyond, we stand with you.”
FBI responds to ‘apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation’
FBI agents are responding to Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, agency director Kash Patel said.
“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,” he wrote on X.
Michigan governor ‘tracking reports’ about shooting
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is “tracking reports” about the shooting at Temple Israel.
“This is heartbreaking,” she wrote in a statement. “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,” she added.
Sheriff’s office confirms officers responding to scene
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is responding to Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, along with multiple other agencies.
“OCSO AND MULTIPLE AGENCIES ON SCENE AT TEMPLE ISRAEL WEST BLOOMFIELD FOR REPORTS OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTER,” the agency said in a statement. “EMERGENCY PERSONNEL CLEARING THE BUILDING.”
Source: independent.co.uk