Attacker killed after ramming Michigan synagogue - The Times

An attacker was killed in a shootout with a security guard after ramming his truck into one of the biggest Reform synagogues in the US.

The suspect, who has not yet been identified, drove his vehicle through the doors of Temple Israel in Michigan and down the hallway before being shot at by security. The vehicle, which appeared to have a large amount of explosives in the back, caught fire after crashing into the synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, about 30 miles from Detroit.

One security guard was hit by the vehicle and treated at hospital. Thirty law-enforcement officers were also being treated at the hospital for smoke inhalation, Michael Bouchard, the Oakland County sheriff, said at a press conference on Thursday evening. Footage showed plumes of smoke billowing out of the synagogue, which has about 12,000 members and a school.

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No children or other staff members were injured.

Officials are still working to identify the suspect, whose body was badly burnt, and determine a motive for the attack. The US has been under a heightened state of alert since the Trump administration and Israel carried out strikes on Iran last month. Synagogues were already on edge and many had increased security after a spate of deadly antisemitic attacks around the world.

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Bouchard told reporters that footage reviewed by police showed the attacker had been “travelling with purpose” as he drove into the hallway of the building. “At least one individual came to the temple. Security saw him, engaged him in gunfire,” he added. The car caught fire after “something ignited” inside the vehicle. The origin of the fire is under investigation.

He could not confirm how the attacker died. Agents wearing gas masks were sweeping the vehicle for potential explosives. Dale Young, police chief of West Bloomfield, said the temple’s security officers “engaged the individual and neutralised the threat”. Law-enforcement officers cleared the area and evacuated all staff and children, he said.

“No kids or no staff were injured whatsoever,” Bouchard added. “Everything that was supposed to happen, happened. Security did their job, and then the responders did theirs.”

Temple Israel released a statement confirming that its 140 students and their teachers were safe, calling the security guards who confronted the “terrorist gunman” heroes. The synagogue said that “teachers followed their training and kept the children safe and calm”. The FBI had carried out active-shooter training at the synagogue six weeks before.

President Trump said the White House was sending “love” to the Jewish community in Michigan after the attack.

“Before we begin, I want to send our love to the Michigan Jewish community and all of 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,” he said.

Pam Bondi, the attorney-general, said agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had responded to the attack.

Temple Israel is the largest Reform synagogue in the US. It offers educational programmes for families and adults. The community includes about 1 per cent of all Reform Jews in North America.

The website says the synagogue is “passionate about helping Jewish communities across the globe” and that its mission is to “create a community building through the lens of Reform Judaism”.

Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan, said the attack was “heartbreaking”. “Michigan’s Jewish community should be able to live and practise their faith in peace,” she said in a statement. “Antisemitism and violence have no place in Michigan. I am hoping for everyone’s safety.”

Police forces around the country said they were increasing patrols at synagogues and places of worship after Thursday’s attack.

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In October Jihad al-Shamie drove a car into people outside an Orthodox synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. He stabbed two people before officers shot and killed him.