WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — UPDATE: The shelter in place alert for the West Bloomfield Township area has been lifted.
Law enforcement says that the scene is no longer labeled as an active threat.
The FBI is expected to provide more details on the investigation at 6 p.m.
Henry Ford Health System issued this statement:
The emergency medicine teams at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital and Henry Ford Providence Novi Hospital are currently caring for eight first responders following this afternoon’s incident at Temple Israel. Further requests for updates on their conditions should be directed to law enforcement.Our hearts go out to the community at Temple Israel and anyone who is impacted by this this frightening event. There is absolutely no place for violence in our community.
Temple Israel, the synagogue that was attacked, send this info out to the community:
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 haveThis 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.
President Trump has this to say about the attack on Thursday:
I want to send our love to the Michigan Jewish community and all the people in Detroit, the Detroit area following the attack on the Jewish synagogue early today and I’ve been briefed, fully briefed, and it’s a terrible thing, but it goes on and we’re going to be right down to the bottom of it. It’s absolutely incredible that things like this happen.
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Police have released new details about the incident at a West Bloomfield area synagogue on Thursday. =
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a car did drive into the building and down a hallway. That is when law enforcement says that the vehicle caught fire. The extent of that fire was not detailed.
One person in the vehicle has died, according to Sheriff Mike Bouchard. Security did engage in gunfire toward the vehicle, according to police.
One member of the synagogue security team was struck by the vehicle, and is being treated at a local hospital. Bouchard says that individual is expected to be “OK.”
Bouchard went on to say that no kids or other staff were injured.
Everyone that was believed to be in the building at the time of the incident is “accounted for,” according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Reunification for families is ongoing at the Jewish Community Center, located at 6660 W. Maple Rd. near Drake Road.
Police are asking the public to stay clear from the scene while the investigation continues. Bomb dogs are on scene, sweeping the area.
According to the FBI, an active shooter training was held at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on January 30th of this year.
See statements from Michigan’s Senators below:
Senator Gary Peters
My heart is with the families and everyone affected by the violence at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. I am monitoring the situation, and people should follow the direction of law enforcement. I’m grateful for these first responders for their quick response. All Americans should feel safe where they pray, work, and live. Antisemitism has no place in our society and we all must come together to condemn this horrible violence.
Senator Elissa Slotkin
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 working the scene. My team and I will continue to be in close contact with law enforcement agencies and local officials. 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.
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A suspect involved in a shooting at a Michigan synagogue has died, according to the Associated Press.
“The person confirmed the death but did not immediately provide additional details,” the Associated Press reported. “The person could not publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The person said no one else was reported injured.”
Deputies with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, officers with multiple other agencies and the FBI responded to an active shooter situation at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Mich. just before 1 p.m. Thursday.
Temple Israel, located on West Walnut Lake Road, is the nation’s largest Reform synagogue, according to their website.
According to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, at least one person went to the temple, security saw him and “engaged him in gunfire.”
Bouchard said unification will take place at the Jewish Community Center, 6660 W. Maple Rd. near Drake Road.
“Don’t come to the area. It’s active, it’s busy,” Bouchard said.
No injuries have been confirmed. A shelter in place order has also been made for the square mile surrounding the scene.
Deputies said emergency personnel were clearing the public. Michigan State Police asked the public to avoid the area, and the Jewish Federation of Detroit asked agencies to go on a precautionary lockdown, according to the non-profit on Facebook.
In addition, out of an abundance of caution, the Ann Arbor Police Department directed officers to increase patrols and respond to churches and schools throughout the city as a safety measure.
“At this time, there is no known threat to the Ann Arbor community. These steps are being taken proactively to help ensure the safety and reassurance of our residents,” officials said. “Our priority is the safety and well-being of our entire community.”
In a statement, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says her office is working with Michigan State Police to get more information, and hopes for the safety of everyone.
“This is heartbreaking,” Whitmer said. “Michigan’s Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace. Antisemitism and violence have no place in Michigan”
Attorney General Dana Nessel said her office is also closely monitoring the situation, and urged Michiganders to follow the requests of law enforcement.
“My heart is with the congregation and community of Temple Israel as law enforcement responds to reports of an active shooter…” Nessel said. “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.”
In September, a similar attack occurred at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Mich.
Five people died during the incident, including the assailant, Thomas Jacob Sanford. Nine others were injured.
This is a developing story. Stay with us as we work to bring you more information.