Suspect in Michigan synagogue terror attack identified
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. (CBS, KYMA) - The rabbi of the Michigan synagogue targeted in a terror attack says the violence won't disrupt Friday's services.
CBS News is also learning more about the man who rammed the building with a vehicle packed with explosives and set it on fire, before security guards gunned him down.
No members inside the temple were hurt.
Overnight, FBI agents were seen raiding the home of the suspect, who the Department of Homeland Security identified as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a Lebanese-born U.S. citizen from nearby Dearborn Heights.
Sources within the Lebanese-American community told CBS News Ghazali lost two brothers, a niece and a nephew to an airstrike in Lebanon roughly 10 days earlier.
Police say he drove his vehicle into Temple Israel Thursday, igniting a fire. Security guards shot and killed him.
"Thanks to the preparation and training of Temple Israel's security team and the West Bloomfield Police department the unexpected did not turn in to tragedy," said Jonathan Warshay, Township Supervisor.
More than 100 young children who attend the synagogue's pre-school and kindergarten were inside at the time of the attack. So was staff member Cassie Cohen.
"We heard a loud crash and a bang. We immediately knew at something was wrong. We grabbed each other. We ran into my office which was very close to where we were standing, hid under my desk...stayed there until it was all clear," Cohen shared.
Aside from one security guard, no one else was hurt.
The FBI's Detroit Office led active shooter response training for Temple Israel's Staff and Clergy just two months ago.
"Everybody in our building did exactly what they were supposed to do. Because of that, we are sitting here today with what could have been a far worse tragedy," said Rabbi Josh Bennett with Temple Israel.
Antisemitism in America is at a historic high, with the Anti-Defamation League reporting a record 9,300+ incidents in 2024.
"This is targeting babies who are Jewish, that is antisemitism at its absolute worst," said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI).
According to the Jewish Federations of North America, it costs roughly $775 million a year to secure Jewish life in America and that will already be put to use starting Friday night, when the Jewish community welcomes the Sabbath.
30 first responders were treated for smoke inhalation.
CBS News has also learned, from a journalist on the ground in Lebanon, that the suspect's two brothers were both members of a Hezbollah rocket unit in Southern Lebanon.
