What to know about the active shooter and vehicle attack at Temple Israel in Michigan

This is a developing story.

An active shooter and apparent vehicle ramming attack unfolded Thursday afternoon at Temple Israel, one of the largest Reform Jewish synagogues in the United States, located in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, roughly 25 miles northwest of Detroit. Here is what is known so far. The shooter is believed to be dead, according to a law enforcement source. 

What happened

Police were called to an active shooting after a truck crashed into Temple Israel at 5725 Walnut Lake Road, near the intersection of Walnut Lake and Drake roads, in the early afternoon on Thursday. Police sources believe the truck intentionally crashed into the building and then caught fire, with smoke at the scene coming from that vehicle. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said the preliminary investigation found that a suspect came to the temple, security spotted him and engaged in gunfire with the suspect. 

What the FBI is saying

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that FBI personnel are on the scene and responding to what he described as “the apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation” at Temple Israel. The Detroit Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also confirmed it is responding to the scene. 

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SEE ALSO: Suspect dead after ramming bomb-laden truck into Michigan synagogue

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Casualties and shelter-in-place

As of Mr. Bouchard’s briefing, no one had been confirmed hurt except, potentially, the shooter. All children at the temple’s preschool were moved out of the school. A shelter-in-place order remains in effect for a 1-mile radius around the temple as authorities continue to investigate. 

Broad law enforcement response

Officers from Plymouth, Bloomfield Hills, Farmington Hills and Michigan State Police, along with several ambulances, are at the synagogue. Ann Arbor Police Chief Andre Anderson also directed officers to increase patrols and respond to local houses of worship and schools throughout the city as a precautionary measure. The Jewish Federation of Detroit advised all Jewish organizations to go into lockout protocol, instructing them not to allow anyone to enter or exit their buildings. 

Schools placed in secure mode

Area schools were placed in lockdown, including West Bloomfield High School, Doherty Elementary and West Bloomfield Middle School. Bloomfield Hills Schools were also placed in secure mode, with officials saying there are no known threats to those schools and that the measure was taken out of precaution. 

Governor Whitmer responds

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she is tracking reports of the shooting and that her team is working with Michigan State Police to gather more information, adding that antisemitism and violence have no place in Michigan and expressing hope for everyone’s safety. 

About Temple Israel

Temple Israel describes itself as the nation’s largest Reform synagogue, accounting for roughly 1 percent of the entire Reform movement in North America. About 3,500 families make up its approximately 12,000-member congregation, which was first organized in 1941. The synagogue also houses an Early Childhood Center that serves as a kindergarten, preschool and daycare facility.