Federal authorities said Monday that the man who rammed a truck into a Michigan synagogue, opened fire, and set the building on fire was motivated by extremist ideology linked to Hezbollah. Investigators described the attack as a targeted act of terrorism against the Jewish community.
The suspect, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, 41, a U.S. citizen with no prior criminal history, carried out the attack March 12 at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. Authorities said he drove a truck into the building, striking a security guard before the vehicle became lodged inside, NBC News reported.
Ghazali then opened fire inside the synagogue before security personnel returned fire, officials said. Authorities said approximately 35 gallons of gasoline ignited during the incident, causing a fire that engulfed parts of the building.
Ghazali died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the exchange, according to officials. NBC News also reported that he died at the scene.
Authorities said about 140 preschool students were inside the building at the time of the attack. Officials confirmed that no children or other individuals inside the synagogue were injured.
The security guard struck by the vehicle is expected to recover, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. Several law enforcement officers were treated for smoke inhalation following the fire.
FBI officials said the attack followed days of planning and preparation. Jennifer Runyan, special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, said Ghazali began researching local synagogues online on March 9.
Runyan said Ghazali attempted to purchase a firearm from two individuals before buying an AR-style rifle from a gun store. She said he also purchased 10 rifle magazines, approximately 300 rounds of ammunition and more than $2,200 worth of fireworks.
Investigators said Ghazali visited a shooting range before the attack. Authorities said he created a Facebook album titled “vengeance” and posted images the day before the incident.
On the morning of the attack, Ghazali posted photos of deceased family members and wrote messages referencing retaliation, officials said. Runyan said he sent multiple videos, photos, and messages to his sister while sitting in the synagogue parking lot.
Runyan said those materials “reiterated his intent to commit a mass terrorist attack, as well as affirming his Hezbollah-inspired ideology.” Authorities also said Ghazali had brief phone conversations with his ex-wife, who contacted police requesting a welfare check.
Investigators said Ghazali was motivated by extremist ideology tied to Hezbollah. Runyan said he “wanted to kill as many people as possible.”
Authorities said Ghazali had posted images that included Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Officials noted that several of Ghazali’s family members were reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike days before the attack, though investigators said they could not confirm a direct link.
The FBI said it has not confirmed whether Ghazali was formally affiliated with Hezbollah. However, Runyan said he was “engaging in that ideology.”
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Jerome Gorgon said prosecutors would have pursued terrorism-related charges if Ghazali had survived. “Had this man lived, I’m convinced that my office would prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that he committed the federal crime of providing material support to Hezbollah,” Gorgon said.
Gorgon said Ghazali acted in line with the group’s ideology and warned about the influence of extremist propaganda. “Terrorist propaganda is designed to activate the so-called ‘lone wolf’ to act on behalf of the terrorist organization,” he said.
Authorities continue to investigate the attack and any potential connections. Officials said security personnel at the synagogue prevented further casualties by responding quickly.