WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Temple Israel in West Bloomfield released an update after Thursday’s attack, confirming that all 140 students, as well as teachers and staff members, are safe.
Police said someone drove a truck through the doors of the temple early Thursday afternoon, and shots were fired afterward. The truck also caught on fire.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said one security worker was knocked unconscious and taken to a nearby hospital, but that person is expected to be OK. The suspect is dead.
At 3:47 p.m. Thursday, March 12, 2026, Temple Israel posted an update on Facebook, confirming that everyone is accounted for.
“Everyone is safe,” the post says. “All 140 students in our Susan and Harold Loss Early Childhood Center, our amazing staff, our courageous teachers, and our heroic security personnel are all accounted for and safe.”
The post says the temple was the victim of a “terrorist gunman” who was neutralized by security workers. Bouchard said previously that it was too early in the investigation to call this a terror attack at the time.
“Our teachers followed their training and kept the children safe and calm,” the post from Temple Israel says. “We are deeply and humbly grateful to our teachers, staff, security, law enforcement, and Shenendoah Country Club that welcomed us, fed us, and sheltered our staff, teachers, children, and parents. What incredible neighbors we have. What incredible police force we have.”
Here is the full statement:
Dear Temple Israel Family,
Everyone is safe. All 140 students in our Susan and Harold Loss Early Childhood Center, our amazing staff, our courageous teachers, and our heroic security personnel are all accounted for and safe.
As you have no doubt heard, Temple Israel was the victim of a terrorist gunman who was confronted and neutralized by our security personnel who are truly heroes. Our teachers followed their training and kept the children safe and calm.
We are deeply and humbly grateful to our teachers, staff, security, law enforcement, and Shenendoah Country Club that welcomed us, fed us, and sheltered our staff, teachers, children, and parents. What incredible neighbors we have. What incredible police force we have
This note is coming to you before we know anything about our future programming or services, or any investigation. We wanted you to know we are safe, and we love you all.
Temple Israel, West Bloomfield
Click here to read a full breakdown of what police said during the first briefing.
“It appears at least one individual came to the temple, security saw him, engaged him in gunfire,” Bouchard said. “The scene, we’re not getting any active stimulus at the moment. We have everything here that we need, including medics and tactical gear. We’re looking to see if there’s more than one person. We’re trying to figure that out.”
Reunification spot
Bouchard said at 1:35 p.m. that everyone has been moved out of the school, and reunification will be at the JCC. Parents can go there to pick up their kids.
If you aren’t a parent or guardian, you should not go to the area.
School shelter-in-place lifted
Schools in the area were sheltering in place during the police response, but that was lifted around 3:40 p.m. Thursday.
High school and middle school students are being dismissed, and elementary schools are expected to dismiss at their regular time.
Buses have been dispatched, and the district is asking for patience.
All evening activities and events remain canceled for Thursday night.
Member of temple describes scene
A member of the Jewish temple spoke with Local 4, describing the scene.
The congregation member, Lisa, was not in the temple at the time of the crash and shooting, but knows a social worker who’s in the building, has close friends there and knows people who have children at the temple’s daycare.
“I’m scared to death for my friends,” Lisa said. “I’ve never seen anything like this. I’ve never seen this number of police out here. My first thought, to be honest, were the children. There’s a whole daycare program in there. Parents and grandparents have been coming, and they’re scared to death for their children. I’m standing here to make sure my friends are okay.
“This is senseless; we have to be better than this. This is not okay. I want everyone to be okay.”
Click here to read the full story.
Jewish Federation of Detroit statement
Here is a statement from the Jewish Federation of Detroit at 3:40 p.m. Thursday.
We are extraordinarily grateful and relieved that no children or congregants were seriously injured in today’s assault at Temple Israel. We extend our most sincere thanks to the first responders and safety personnel for their courage, professionalism and swift action.
Our thoughts are with the Temple Israel Director of Security who was injured during the incident, and we wish him a full and speedy recovery. We are also deeply appreciative of our local law enforcement agencies and Jewish Community Security, Inc. for their ongoing dedication to keeping our Jewish community safe.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to vigilance and security, even as we continue to live proud, vibrant Jewish lives—at our temples and synagogues, in our schools, and throughout our Jewish organizations. Finally, we thank the community for the outpouring of support, compassion, and concern during this difficult moment.
Jewish Federation of DetroitGov. Gretchen Whitmer statement
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement:
I am tracking reports of an active shooting at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. We are working with Michigan State Police to get more information.
This is heartbreaking. 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.
Thank you to law enforcement for their swift action.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Click here to read the full story.
Aerial video
Aerial video in the aftermath of the crash showed smoke billowing out of the building from multiple locations.
People could be seen running out of the exits.
Fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances flooded the scene.
Here’s aerial footage from the scene:
Here’s more of our coverage:
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