Eye for an Eye? US Man Attacks Michigan Synagogue after Death of Relatives in Lebanon

Two violent incidents in the United States on Thursday prompted federal investigations and heightened concerns over potential attacks amid rising tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

In Michigan, authorities responded to a vehicle ramming and suspected active shooter situation at Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township in the Detroit metropolitan area.

Separately, federal officials launched a terrorism investigation into a shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau had deployed personnel to assist local authorities in Michigan.

How did Ayman Ghazali carry out the Michigan synagogue truck attack?

According to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, a suspect drove a truck through the doors of the synagogue and down a hallway before security personnel opened fire, killing the attacker.

Authorities said it was not immediately clear whether he took his own life or was shot dead by security personnel.

The truck’s driver was later identified by the US Department of Homeland Security as Ayman Ghazali, a 41 year old man born in Lebanon who became a US citizen in 2016.

Ghazali had been traumatised when an Israeli airstrike on his family's village in Lebanon about 10 days earlier killed two of his brothers and two of their children, CBS News reported as investigators examined his motive.

Authorities credited the quick response of trained synagogue security personnel with preventing casualties. One security officer was struck by the vehicle and briefly knocked unconscious but is expected to recover, Bouchard said.

Were explosives found in Ayman Ghazali’s vehicle after the Michigan synagogue attack?

All 140 children at the synagogue’s preschool and daycare centre were safely evacuated and accounted for, synagogue officials said.

Emergency responders also discovered what appeared to be a large quantity of explosives in the back of the vehicle, law enforcement officials briefed on the scene told CNN.

The crash triggered a fire of undetermined origin inside the synagogue, filling the building with smoke. Bouchard said 30 law enforcement officers were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

"What happens around the world sometimes affects us, so we have to prepare for it," Bouchard said.

The FBI said it was leading the investigation of what special agent Jennifer Runyan described as a "targeted act of violence against the Jewish community."

How did leaders respond to the Michigan synagogue truck attack?

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said she was monitoring the situation and coordinating with state authorities.

"I am tracking reports of an active shooting at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield," Whitmer wrote on X.

"We are working with Michigan State Police to get more information. This is heartbreaking. Michigan's Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace. Antisemitism and violence have no place in Michigan. I am hoping for everyone's safety," he added.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also condemned the attack.

“Antisemitism has no place in Michigan and cannot be tolerated," Nessel said in a statement. "In moments like these, it’s more important than ever that we come together, stand with our neighbors, confront hate whenever it appears, and build stronger communities."

US President Donald Trump said he had been fully briefed on the incident and expressed solidarity with the Jewish community.

What did Donald Trump say about the Michigan synagogue truck attack?

"I want to send our love to the Michigan Jewish community and all of the people in the Detroit area following the attack on the Jewish synagogue earlier today," Trump said while speaking at a Women's History Month event at the White House.

"I've been briefed, fully briefed, and it's a terrible thing, but it goes on. We're going to be right down to the bottom of it. It's absolutely incredible that things like this happen," he added.

Authorities said the attack occurred amid a rise in antisemitic incidents in the United States.

According to FBI data, anti Jewish incidents account for nearly two thirds of more than 5,300 religiously motivated hate crimes recorded since February 2024.

Jewish and Islamic organisations across the United States have been operating under heightened security measures since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28.

"We've been talking for two weeks about the potential, sadly, of this happening. So there was no lack of preparation," Bouchard said on CNN. "All Jewish facilities in the area are going to have a lot of extra presence around it until we figure this out."

What happened in the shooting at Old Dominion University in Virginia?

Earlier on Thursday, another deadly incident unfolded at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

According to The New York Times, the shooting occurred shortly before 10.49 am local time at Constant Hall, a building with classrooms and lecture halls on the university’s main campus.

Two people were injured and taken to hospital while the gunman was reported dead.

The university said police officers, emergency management personnel and responders from the City of Norfolk quickly arrived at the scene to assist the injured.

FBI officials later identified the gunman as Mohamed Jalloh, who pleaded guilty in 2016 to federal charges of providing material support to Islamic State, the Syria and Iraq based Islamist militant group and long time foe of Iran. He was released from prison in 2024.

Who were the victims in the Old Dominion University shooting?

Authorities said Jalloh shouted "Allahu Akbar" before opening fire.

All three victims were affiliated with the university, which has close ties with the military and a student body in which nearly a third are service members.

The shooting left one person dead and two others injured. Officials said the two injured victims were US Army personnel.

The attacker was killed after a group of Reserve Officer Training Corps students subdued him, FBI special agent Dominique Evans told reporters hours later.

Federal authorities said they had opened a terrorism investigation into the incident.

The back to back attacks heightened concerns about possible violence on US soil as tensions rise following airstrikes by US and Israeli forces on Iran and retaliatory strikes by Iran on Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases.

Security alerts have also been reported at airports in Kansas City and the Washington suburbs, while two men were arrested for allegedly igniting homemade bombs at a chaotic anti Islam protest outside Gracie Mansion in New York City.

Police said the suspects told investigators they had been inspired by Islamic State.

(With inputs from ANI)