Police respond to active shooter at Michigan synagogue

A gunman opened fire at a security guard outside the house of worship

Police officers and federal agents responded to a shooting at Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, on Thursday. The FBI has said that the shooter used a vehicle in the attack.

FBI Director Kash Patel described the incident as an “apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation,” while Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said that the gunman approached a security guard, who engaged him.

Bouchard said that shots were fired and that a vehicle was involved, without giving further details.

The search for the gunman is a “work in progress,” he told reporters, adding that people in the area should shelter in place until given the all clear by law enforcement.

HUGE police response to Temple Israel synagogue 'ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION'

Local media report 'vehicle CRASHED into building before shots fired' https://t.co/6YM95B2Zev pic.twitter.com/zPGjX3yXcD

— RT (@RT_com) March 12, 2026

Video footage from the scene shows FBI agents surrounding the synagogue, armed with rifles and wearing body armor. Smoke could be seen billowing from the roof of the building, although its cause was not immediately apparent. Law enforcement sources told Fox News that the shooter drove his vehicle through the front doors of the building and set it on fire, before he was killed in a shootout with security.

The shooter's death has not been confirmed.

Cops rush toward SMOKING Temple Israel synagogue as local in tears over 'HEARTBREAKING' active shooter situation https://t.co/9jCK7s7hel pic.twitter.com/wZP2qbZlcK

— RT (@RT_com) March 12, 2026

The incident took place less than an hour after a gunman opened fire at Old Dominion University in Virginia, seriously injuring two people. The shooter was killed during the attack, although it is unclear whether he took his own life or was shot by police.

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