Shooter at synagogue in US state of Michigan is dead, police say

US LAW ENFORCEMENT agencies responded to reports of an active shooter at a synagogue in the northern US state of Michigan who is now dead, according to police. 

Television images showed a massive police response in the area around the synagogue in the Detroit suburbs.

Smoke could be seen billowing from what appeared to be a fire in the building.

“At least one individual came to the temple,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard told reporters. “Security saw him, engaged him in gunfire.”

“He breached the building, drove down the hall, and he was engaged by security,” Bouchard said. “We can’t say what killed him at this point, but security did engage the suspect with gunfire.”

The sheriff said the assailant appeared to be alone in the vehicle and police dogs were checking the car for explosives.

“It’s been complicated because there’s some fire,” he said. “We’re through an abundance of caution, clearing the vehicle for IEDs or any explosives.”

The sheriff said a security member was injured by the assailant’s pickup truck and was being treated in hospital.

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The Michigan State Police had initially said in a post on X that they were “aware of an active shooting incident that is ongoing in West Bloomfield.”  

The FBI said it was also responding to the sitution at the Temple Israel synagogue, which is home to a school.

Agency director Kash Patel said “FBI personnel are on the scene with partners in Michigan and responding to the apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation”.

Michigan’s governor, Gretchen Whitmer, said in a statement posted online that she was tracking the reports and that the situation was “heartbreaking”.

“Michigan’s Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace.” 

The Jewish Federation of Detroit said Jewish agencies were in precautionary lockdown.

“We ask community members to stay away from the area at this time.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

With reporting from AFP 

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