Lebanese-Born Naturalized U.S. Citizen Named in Michigan Synagogue Attack; Family Killed Abroad Days Before Incident
A violent incident at Temple Israel, one of Michigan’s largest synagogues in West Bloomfield Township, has sparked a federal investigation after authorities identified the suspect as a Lebanese-born naturalized U.S. citizen.
Federal officials confirmed that 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali carried out the attack.
Ghazali first entered the United States in 2011 on an immigrant visa for spouses of U.S. citizens and completed naturalization in 2016 during the Obama administration.
Investigators report that Ghazali drove a truck into Temple Israel just after noon on Thursday, targeting the building’s early childhood education center, where roughly 140 children, teachers, and staff were present.
Temple Israel later confirmed that everyone inside remained unharmed.
A member of the synagogue’s security team was struck by the vehicle while confronting the suspect and sustained injuries, though authorities said the guard is expected to make a full recovery.
Security personnel ultimately stopped Ghazali by firing on him, fatally ending the attack.
The truck caught fire inside the synagogue, prompting firefighters to respond quickly and contain the flames.
Law enforcement from local and federal agencies rapidly arrived at the scene, deploying tactical teams, police units, and helicopters.
Officers secured the surrounding neighborhood while nearby schools and places of worship were temporarily placed under increased security measures.
According to SFGate, the FBI is leading the investigation into what authorities have called a deliberate act of violence against the Jewish community.
Jennifer Runyan, the special agent in charge of the Detroit FBI office, stated that investigators are working to understand what motivated the suspect.
Court records indicate that Ghazali lived in Dearborn Heights and worked at Hamido Restaurant.
He had previously been married, with a divorce finalized in March 2025, Detroit News reported.
Sources familiar with the investigation reported that several of Ghazali’s relatives, including a sibling, had been killed days earlier in a military strike in Lebanon, though officials have not confirmed a connection to the attack.
Authorities are also examining social media activity linked to Ghazali, including posts referencing family members killed in a recent Israeli strike in Mashghara, Lebanon.
Investigators have not verified the posts’ authenticity or whether they influenced the assault.
Temple Israel praised its security staff and first responders for preventing further harm.
The nearby Shenandoah Country Club provided shelter to children and staff during the emergency, according to Channel 2 Now.
The attack has heightened concern about the safety of Jewish institutions across the United States, particularly as tensions tied to the ongoing conflict with Iran continue to grow.
Organizations have been advised to implement precautionary lockout procedures while the investigation continues.
President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the incident and called it a “terrible thing,” while Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) condemned the act and stressed that all communities should be able to practice their faith safely.
Authorities continue gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing Ghazali’s background to determine motive and whether any others were involved.
WATCH:
Michigan Synagogue shooting suspect Ayman Mohamad Ghazali lost family members in an Israeli strike in Lebanon- just days before attacking Temple Israel synagogue.
The Lebanese-born 41 year old is accused of driving a truck filled with explosives into a Michigan synagogue and… pic.twitter.com/ZeleAHf77C
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) March 13, 2026
🚨 BREAKING: The Michigan synagogue terrorist has been CONFIRMED a Middle Eastern migrant from Lebanon, Ayman "Mohamad" Ghazali per DHS
– Let in under Obama in 2011
– Became a citizen in 2016
– NOW HE TRIED KILLING AMERICANSCut off the ENTIRE 3RD WORLD!pic.twitter.com/cMzjF8OLVM
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 13, 2026
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