An attempted car bomber plowed a vehicle full of explosives into the preschool entrance of Jewish synagogue in Michigan and barreled down a hallway before security opened fire, killing the suspect before any carnage was unleashed.
The attack unfolded at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield just before 1 p.m. Thursday, when the suspect smashed through the doors and sped down a hallway as security fired shots in an attempt to stop them, Oakland Sheriff Mike Bouchard told reporters.
The attack sparked a blaze as authorities swarmed the synagogue, law enforcement sources said.
The driver was found dead inside the car, which contained explosives in the back, though the cause of death remains unclear, cops said.
A security guard was hit by the car and rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
No children or temple staff were injured in the attack, according to a memo sent to parents.
“Everything that was supposed to happen, happened, Oakland Sheriff Mike Bouchard told reporters, adding the grim reality that authorities have been preparing for a possible attack on the religious site.
“Security did their job, and then the responders did theirs.”
Aerial footage from local outlets showed smoke wafting from the building in the aftermath.
Multiple other schools in the neighboring area went into immediate lockdown in the wake of the incident.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed FBI personnel were among those on the scene following “the apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi also said ATF agents are also on the scene assisting local law enforcement.
“Our @FBI and @ATFHQ agents are on the scene assisting local authorities at Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Please pray,” she wrote on X.
President Trump has also been briefed on the attempted violence, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
Oakland County, Michigan, outside of Detroit — where Temple Israel is located — has one of the largest Jewish populations outside of the New York area.
It is also located about 30km north of Dearborn, which has the largest Muslim and Arab population in the US.
Culled from www.news.com.au
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