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An attacker armed with a rifle rammed his vehicle into one of the nation’s largest reform synagogues Thursday, driving through a hallway as security opened fire, fatally shooting him, The Associated Press has learned.
The vehicle caught on fire after crashing into the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, just outside Detroit, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday. The person could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
Temple Israel released a statement on Thursday afternoon confirming everyone at the synagogue was safe, including the 140 students who were in the early childhood learning center when the car barreled in. One security officer was hit by the vehicle and knocked unconscious but did not suffer life-threatening injuries, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said.
Synagogues around the world have increased security and protections for worshippers since the U.S. and Israel launched a war with Iran on Feb. 28.
Here’s what we know so far:
The shooter: Investigators were still working to identify the man and a possible motive for the attack. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard confirmed during an earlier news conference that security at the synagogue had engaged in gunfire with at least one person.The location: Temple Israel calls itself the nation’s largest Reform synagogue, with 12,000 members, according to its website. It has an early childhood education center and offers educational programs for families and adults.Updates take time: Compiling accurate and thorough information takes time. Reporters are working to piece together the details from eyewitness accounts, authorities and other sources.