Police are at the scene of an “active” situation at a Jewish synagogue in a suburb outside of Detroit, Michigan, with shots fired and people asked to shelter in place amid a massive response.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s office said it and multiple agencies were responding to Temple Israel in West Bloomfield for reports of an active shooter.
“Emergency personnel clearing the building,” the department wrote.
NBC Chicago’s affiliate station in Detroit, citing police, reported a car crashed into the synagogue and “shots were fired after the crash.”
Officials at the scene confirmed a vehicle was involved and shots were fired.
“At least one individual came to the temple. Security saw him, engaged him in gunfire,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.
It was not immediately clear if there were any injuries, but police said preliminary reports did not indicate anyone had been hurt.
Footage from the scene showed a massive police response in the area. A suspect was not yet in custody, police said, noting that it was a “work in progress.”
“At the moment, we just tell people shelter in place for at least a mile area until we determine that there’s no one else that maybe was on foot and fled the area,” Bouchard said. “Until we figure out exactly what’s going on.”
Temple Israel’s website states that it has a preschool and large congregation, calling it the “nation’s largest Reform synagogue.”
Bouchard noted that all individuals had been removed from the school and reunification was taking place at The Jewish Center.
The Jewish Federation of Detroit said it was aware of a “security incident” at the synagogue and law enforcement were responding.
“Our Jewish agencies are currently in precautionary lockdown,” the group wrote in a message. “We ask community members to stay away from the area at this time.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said she was “closely monitoring the situation.”
“My heart is with the congregation and community of Temple Israel as law enforcement responds to reports of an active shooter. We are closely monitoring the situation and urge residents to follow the requests of local law enforcement as they work to secure the area and protect lives,” she said in a statement. “Antisemitism has no place in Michigan and cannot be tolerated. In moments like these, it’s more important than ever that we come together, stand with our neighbors, confront hate whenever it appears, and build stronger communities.”
Sen. Elissa Slotkin called it “another frightening event that is still being cleared.”
“All communities deserve the right to worship safely. All communities. And acts of terror and antisemitism must be condemned and dealt with to the fullest extent of the law,” she wrote on social media.
I am closely tracking the active shooter situation at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township — a place I know well. This is another frightening event that is still being cleared. Please continue to follow local law enforcement guidelines and avoid the area — they are actively…
— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) March 12, 2026
Sen. Chuck Schumer also said he was monitoring the situation.
I am closely monitoring the situation at Temple Israel in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and am praying for the wellbeing of the schoolchildren, congregants, synagogue staff, and first responders.
I’m grateful to the local police for their quick response and will continue to track… https://t.co/KMH0vOJ6gc
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 12, 2026