The Michigan synagogue that came under attack this week when an armed man drove his car into the building had for months been strengthening its security apparatus.
Two killed in Palm Valley Road Walgreens shooting in Ponte Vedra, suspect still at largeMid-March in northeast Florida, southeast Georgia brings warm temperatures, rain before turning chilly next weekSt.
Johns County Sheriff’s Office investigating shooting in Ponte Vedra BeachOrange Park police work with community to halt rumored unauthorized event from taking place; residents express gratitude Read full article: Orange Park police work with community to halt rumored unauthorized event from taking place; residents express gratitudePolice vehicles sit outside the Temple Israel synagogue Friday, March 13, 2026, in West Bloomfield Township, Mich. this week when an armed man drove his car into the building had for months been strengthening its security apparatus by hiring a seasoned police lieutenant as its security director and holding active shooter training. That beefed up security, which came in response to rising antisemitism and other attacks at places of worship, is being credited with saving lives in an event that ended with only the attacker dying.An armed, private security guard shot back at the attacker after he opened fire through his windshield in a hallway inside the building. When the car barreled in, there were 140 students inside in an early childhood learning center. All were unscathed. The car’s engine caught fire, and the gunman, Ayman Mohammad Ghazali, a Lebanese-born U.S. citizen, eventually used his own weapon to fatally shoot himself, according to Jennifer Runyan, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit field office. “If they had not done their job almost perfectly we would be talking about an immense tragedy here today with children gone," U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin said of the building's security. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer added: “These heroes threw themselves in harm’s way, engaging a suspect.”“Unfortunately the entire Jewish community, no matter where we are in the world, we have to plan for things like this,” Temple Israel Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny told CNN. The effort to bolster security at Temple Israel, outside Detroit, came as many houses of worship have undergone similar efforts, with leaders working to fortify facilities in the wake ofThe synagogue last June hired a former police lieutenant, Danny Phillips, to lead its in-house armed security guards as the head of security, with the temple saying it was taking a proactive step “in response to the evolving realities facing Jewish communities." Phillips served in law enforcement for almost three decades, including more than 20 years as his department's advanced firearm instructor, according to the website of a local college where he teaches a police academy course on responding to active assailants. And in January, Temple Israel's staff and clergy participated in an active shooter prevention and preparedness training lead by an FBI official, according to the synagogue's social media accounts. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said on Thursday that he had contacted the head of security for the temple just two days before the attack. He credited the thorough preparation ahead of the attack as the reason that there weren’t casualties. Ron Amann, a member of the safety team at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, not far from the temple, is still recovering after being shot in the leg by a man whoAmann, who was armed, said he passed his grandson to his wife when he heard a woman yell, “There’s a man with a gun.” “When you sign up for the safety team you have to be willing to stand up and fight, bluntly, rather than run the other direction,” said Amann, 64, who has a metal rod in his lower right leg. “My alertness is just at a higher level than it ever was before,” he said. “The events at the synagogue just keep bringing it back to the forefront. I’m certainly saddened by all that.” CrossPointe church is 30 miles from the synagogue. But Pastor Bobby Kelly said he and his staff sheltered in place Thursday when they heard about the attack. Police even drove around the church.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Orange Park police successfully prevent rumored unauthorized event from taking placeNocatee community rallies around resident who was left with a brain injury after a golf cart crashDuval County School Board approves Kings Trail Elementary sale, neighbors raise traffic concernsBrunswick police warn against ‘teen takeovers’ after disruption at First Friday eventVoices of the 904 S2 Ep 1. - How her work for the Northside is a love letter to its culture, historyVoices of the 904 S2 Ep 1. - How her work for the Northside is a love letter to its culture, historyWeather Authority Alert Day declared for Southeast Georgia until 1 p.m.Taking you through ALL of TPC Sawgrass in under 11 minutesAnnie R. Morgan Elementary on Jacksonville’s Westside to become tech incubator, community hubCourt ruling could have impact on whether red-light camera remain legalEWU women's hoops team playing in 1st NCAA DII tournament
Bobby Kelly Ayman Mohammad Ghazali Jennifer Kaluzny Ron Amann Religion Gretchen Whitmer Elissa Slotkin Jennifer Runyan Danny Phillips U.S. News
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
BREAKING: Authorities respond to active shooter situation at Michigan synagogueThe Oakland County Sheriff's Office and multiple other agencies are responding to an 'active shooter situation' at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Mich.
Read more »
Police respond to a report of an active shooter at a synagogue in MichiganPolice are responding to reports of an “active shooter” at a synagogue outside Detroit, where smoke is billowing from the roof. WDIV-TV reports that a truck crashed into the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, on Thursday. Footage from the scene shows dozens of police vehicles surrounding the building.
Read more »
BREAKING: Authorities responding to active shooter situation at Michigan synagogueThe Oakland County Sheriff's Office and multiple other agencies are responding to an 'active shooter situation' at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Mich.
Read more »
BREAKING: Authorities, FBI responding to active shooter situation at Michigan synagogueThe FBI, Oakland County Sheriff's Office and multiple other agencies are responding to an 'active shooter situation' at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Mich.
Read more »
Michigan police responding to 'active shooting incident' at synagogueFox News Channel offers its audiences in-depth news reporting, along with opinion and analysis encompassing the principles of free people, free markets and diversity of thought, as an alternative to the left-of-center offerings of the news marketplace.
Read more »
Car Crashes Into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, Shots Fired: What to KnowPolice reported an active situation at a Michigan synagogue, prompting a large law enforcement response.
Read more »