Lebanese-born suspect identified in Michigan synagogue attack, sources say

The suspect in Thursday’s attack on a Jewish synagogue in Michigan has been preliminarily identified as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a 41-year-old American citizen of Lebanese origin, according to three law enforcement sources who spoke to Fox News.

He allegedly targeted the Jewish community after suffering family losses in Lebanon during the country’s conflict with Israel, Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun said, adding that Ghazali was a city resident.

Ghazali allegedly crashed into a vehicle inside Temple Israel, a large Reform Jewish synagogue in West Bloomfield, around 12:30 p.m. local time. He then got out of the vehicle with a rifle and exchanged gunfire with armed security forces, who shot him dead.

“The tragic attack on Temple Israel Synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, was carried out by Ayman Mohamad Ghazali,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to Fox News.

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An active shooter was reported at Temple Israel, a synagogue in Michigan, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (WJBK)

Ongoing investigation

The mayor of Dearborn Heights said in a statement on social media that the suspect may have lost several members of his family in an Israeli attack on their home in Lebanon.

“Earlier today, we learned that the individual responsible for the incident at Temple Israel Synagogue in West Bloomfield was a Dearborn Heights resident. He died at the scene,” Mo Baydoun said.

“Earlier this month, he lost several members of his own family, including his niece and nephew, in an Israeli attack on their home in Lebanon.”

Baydoun further condemned the attack and urged residents to remain alert and vigilant, “especially as we gather in these final holy days of Ramadan.”

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A woman rounds up children as law enforcement responds to a call at Temple Israel Synagogue, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan. (AP Photo/Corey Williams)

On the way to the United States

Multiple law enforcement sources and federal authorities said the suspect, who lived near Dearborn, Michigan, entered the United States as the wife of a U.S. citizen about 15 years ago, during the Obama administration. He then obtained citizenship five years later, in 2016.

Ghazali, born in Lebanon on January 4, 1985, entered the United States through Detroit Metropolitan International Airport on May 10, 2011, as the spouse of a U.S. citizen, according to DHS.

He reportedly held an IR1 immigrant visa – a type of green card typically granted to couples married at least two years at the time of visa approval or entry – indicating the couple was married in May 2009.

Before his arrival, his partner filed two petitions in December 2009 using a double-filing strategy, a fiancé petition and an alien relative petition, both of which were approved in April 2010, authorities said.

He then applied for naturalization on October 20, 2015 and was granted U.S. citizenship on February 5, 2016, during the Obama administration.

Local media The Detroit News added that Ghazali worked in Dearborn Heights.

Law enforcement officials cautioned that the identification remains preliminary as investigators continue to look into Thursday’s incident.

Aftermath of the attack

A heavy police presence was seen at Temple Israel, a synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, following reports of an active shooter on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Fox 2)

Following the attack, Henry Ford Health reported that at least eight first responders involved in the incident were treated at the hospital by emergency crews.

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Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said earlier that a security guard was struck by the suspect’s truck. The number of affected responders then increased significantly, with around 30 officers transported to hospital for smoke inhalation after entering the building, Bouchard added in an update.

All preschool children and temple staff were safely evacuated from the synagogue.