Lebanese-born suspect recognized in Michigan synagogue assault, sources say

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The suspect in Thursday's assault that focused a Jewish synagogue in Michigan has been preliminarily recognized as 41-year-old Lebanese-born American citizen Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, in accordance with three regulation enforcement sources who spoke to Fox Information.

He reportedly focused the Jewish group after struggling household losses in Lebanon throughout the nation's battle with Israel, Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun mentioned, including that Ghazali was a resident of town.

Ghazali allegedly rammed a automobile into Temple Israel, a big Reform Jewish synagogue in West Bloomfield, at roughly 12:30 p.m. native time. He then exited the automobile with a rifle and exchanged gunfire with armed safety, who shot and killed him.

"The tragic assault on Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan was carried out by Ayman Mohamad Ghazali," the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) confirmed to Fox Information.

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An lively shooter was reported on the Temple Israel, a synagogue in Michigan, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (WJBK)

Investigation underway The mayor of Dearborn Heights mentioned in a press release on social media that the suspect reportedly misplaced a number of relations in an Israeli assault on their residence in Lebanon.

"Earlier immediately, we discovered that the person answerable for the incident that came about at Temple Israel Synagogue in West Bloomfield was a resident of Dearborn Heights. He died on the scene," Mo Baydoun mentioned.

"Earlier this month, he misplaced a number of members of his family, together with his niece and nephew, in an Israeli assault on their residence in Lebanon."

Baydoun additional condemned the assault and urged residents to remain conscious and vigilant, "particularly as we collect throughout these sacred last days of Ramadan."

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A lady gathers youngsters as regulation enforcement reply to a name at Temple Israel synagogue on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in West Bloomfield Township, Mich. (AP Picture/Corey Williams)

Pathway to the US A number of regulation enforcement sources and federal authorities mentioned the suspect, who lived close to Dearborn, Michigan, entered the US because the partner of a U.S. citizen roughly 15 years in the past below the Obama administration. He was subsequently granted citizenship 5 years later in 2016.

Ghazali, who was born in Lebanon on Jan. 4, 1985, entered the U.S. by way of the Detroit Metropolitan Worldwide Airport, on Might 10, 2011, because the partner of a U.S. citizen, in accordance with the DHS.

He reportedly held an IR1 immigrant visa — a kind of inexperienced card sometimes granted to {couples} married for at the least two years on the time of visa approval or entry — indicating that the couple was married by Might 2009.

Earlier than his arrival, his companion filed two petitions in December 2009 below a dual-filing technique, a fiancé petition and an alien relative petition, each of which had been accredited in April 2010, authorities mentioned.

He then utilized for naturalization on Oct. 20, 2015, and was granted U.S. citizenship on Feb. 5, 2016, below the Obama administration.

Native media outlet The Detroit Information added that Ghazali was a employee in Dearborn Heights.

Law enforcement officials cautioned that the identification stays preliminary as investigators proceed to analyze Thursday’s incident.

Aftermath of assault Heavy police presence was seen on the Temple Israel, a synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Mich., following stories of an lively shooter on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Fox 2)

Within the wake of the assault, Henry Ford Well being reported that at the least eight first responders concerned within the incident had been handled on the hospital by emergency groups.

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Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard mentioned earlier that one safety guard was struck by the suspect’s truck. The variety of affected responders then rose considerably, with roughly 30 officers taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation after getting into the constructing, Bouchard added in an replace.