Suspect in Detroit-area synagogue attack is killed by security, officials say

A suspect in an attack on a synagogue in the Detroit area is dead after ramming a truck into the building and being confronted by synagogue security, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. There are no reported injuries among students or staff on site. 

The sheriff's department says law enforcement responded to an "active shooter situation" at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday afternoon.

Bouchard said a man drove through the doors of the building and down a hallway. Two law enforcement sources told CBS News the suspect rammed the vehicle into the synagogue, then exited the vehicle with a rifle and was then shot by synagogue security, though Bouchard would not say how the suspect died. 

No students or staff were injured in the incident, Bouchard said. 

Law enforcement sources told CBS News that the suspect's body is badly burned, which is complicating the person's identification. They say there were mortar type explosive inside the suspect's vehicle.

"We've accounted for everybody that we believe was in the building at the time," Bouchard said. 

One of the lead security personnel who was hit by the vehicle and "knocked unconscious" was taken to an area hospital for treatment and is expected to be okay, Bouchard said. The guard was pulled from the area by his team. 

Bouchard said something inside the suspect's vehicle ignited, and added that out of an abundance of caution, investigators are clearing the vehicle for IED explosives. Only one person was inside the vehicle, according to Bouchard. 

"Security did their job, and then the responders did theirs," Bouchard said. 

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that FBI personnel were at the scene and responding.

President Trump spoke on the attack on Thursday, saying, "I want to send our love to the Michigan Jewish community and all of the people in Detroit, Detroit area, following the attack on the Jewish synagogue earlier today. And I've been briefed, fully briefed, and it's a terrible thing. But it goes on. We're going to be right down to the bottom of it. It's absolutely incredible that things like this happen."

Temple Israel is located on 5725 Walnut Lake Road near the intersection of Walnut Lake and Drake roads. According to its website, it is the largest Reform synagogue in the United States.

Multiple agencies, including West Bloomfield police, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office and Michigan State Police, responded to the scene. Emergency personnel were working to clear Temple Israel.

"Don't come to the area. It's active, it's busy," Bouchard said to those who otherwise would not be in the area.

The Jewish Community Center is where parents of Temple Israel students can meet up with their children, officials said.

West Bloomfield High School, West Bloomfield Middle School, Doherty Elementary School and Bloomfield Hills Schools were in secure mode.

The Jewish Federation of Detroit asked all Jewish organizations to go into "lockout protocol."

"We are asking for community members to stay away from the area to allow for police response. Troopers are also increasing patrols at other places of worship in the district," Michigan State Police reported.

The Ann Arbor Police Department said it was aware of reports of the incident in West Bloomfield. Ann Arbor Police Chief Andre Anderson directed officers to increase patrols and respond to local houses of worship and schools throughout the city as a precautionary safety measure, the police department said.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement saying she was monitoring the situation.

"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," Whitmer said.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a statement saying in part, "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."

Dawud Walid, the executive director of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, condemned Thursday's attack, saying, "There is no justification for anyone to direct violence toward any house or worship or religious institution."

This is a developing story and will be updated.