Police are responding to an active shooting incident at a synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
“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,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.
Initial reports suggest all children and staff are safe and the suspect has been killed, according to federal officials. Security officials fired at the vehicle after the suspect rammed it into the building.
“A car came to the facility, breached the facility by driving into it, was engaged by security. We believe there is one individual deceased in the vehicle,” federal officials said on the scene. A lead security officers was hit by the suspect in the car and was taken to the hospital.
The man in the car was armed with a rifle, according to the Associated Press.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) said she was “tracking” details of the shooting.
“This is heartbreaking,” Whitmer said in a statement Thursday. “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.”
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Other Michigan officials similarly said they were thinking of the state’s Jewish community including Sens. Gary Peters (D), Elissa Slotkin (D), and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D).
Temple Israel calls itself the “largest Reform synagogue” in the United States. It has an early childhood education and kindergarten program for children 6 and younger.
Michigan State Police have urged residents to avoid the area near Temple Israel.
