In response to Thursday’s attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun says that “our Jewish brothers and sisters deserve to worship without fear.” 

Baydoun made the statement on Friday while discussing the community impact and regional concerns following the attack at the Reform synagogue. Baydoun was joined by Dearborn Heights Police Chief Michael Guzowski, discussing community response, safety measures and coordination with law enforcement.

West Bloomfield Police Chief Dale Young said law enforcement responded on March 12 to an “active shooter situation” at about 12:19 p.m., and field officers arrived at the scene within five minutes. Young said the suspect, later identified by the Department of Homeland Security as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, of Dearborn Heights, rammed his vehicle into the building. 

Authorities said the car caught on fire after it slammed into the building. Young said security officers “engaged the individual and neutralized the threat.”

Temple Israel confirmed that all 140 students and staff are safe.   

“Children in any school, whether in West Bloomfield or in Dearborn Heights or anywhere around the world, deserve to attend school without fear of any type of attack,” Baydoun said.   

Sources within the local Lebanese American community, including one person who has known Ghazali for more than a decade, told CBS News that Ghazali’s family members, including his brothers and two of their children, were killed after an airstrike in Lebanon during the ongoing war with Iran. 

“That grief is real, and it’s heartbreaking. But let me be clear, that is not an excuse. These actions do not reflect our values as a city. This is not who we are,” Baydoun said. “There is never an excuse for violence, especially for violence directed at a sacred space. 

As a result of Thursday’s attack, Baydoun said Dearborn Heights has increased police patrols around places of worship, schools and community gathering spaces. 

“Our police department is in active coordination with regional and federal partners to ensure that every congregation and every religion has the support and protection it needs, especially as we enter the final days of Ramadan,” the first-term mayor said. 

The FBI says it is investigating the incident as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.”  FBI Detroit said that it led an active shooter attack prevention and awareness training at Temple Israel in January 2026.  

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said Friday that more than 50 law enforcement personnel have sought medical treatment for smoke inhalation.   

DeJanay Booth-Singleton

contributed to this report.

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