Authorities say the individual who deliberately drove a vehicle into the entrance of a school building at a Jewish synagogue in Michigan has died following a large law enforcement response that included reports of gunfire.
Police rushed to Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday after receiving reports of an “active shooter.” Law enforcement sources told The Post that investigators believe the driver intentionally crashed a car into the building.
The collision occurred shortly before 1 p.m. and triggered a fire as emergency responders flooded the scene at the synagogue, according to law enforcement officials.
BREAKING – Police responding to active shooter at Temple Israel Synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, shortly after active shooter shot and killed at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia
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Witnesses at the location said they heard gunshots immediately after the vehicle struck the structure, WDIV reported.
It remained unclear in the immediate aftermath whether the gunfire came from the suspect or from responding officers. Authorities also had not confirmed whether anyone else was injured during the incident.
Helicopter footage broadcast by local media showed smoke rising from the building following the crash.
Parents of children enrolled at the synagogue’s preschool received a message informing them that all students and staff were safe after the incident.
Several nearby schools also initiated lockdown procedures as a precaution following the reports of the attack.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that federal agents joined local authorities at the scene after what he described as “the apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation.”
Police have so far characterized the situation as an “active situation” and urged residents to avoid the area while the investigation continues.
“We are aware of an active security incident at Temple Israel,” the Jewish Federation of Detroit said in a statement.
“Law enforcement are responding. Our Jewish agencies are currently in precautionary lockdown. We ask community members to stay away from the area at this time.”
Temple Israel is located in Oakland County, Michigan, a region outside Detroit that is home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the United States outside the New York metropolitan area.
The synagogue sits roughly 20 miles north of Dearborn, a city known for having the largest Muslim and Arab population in the country.
{Matzav.com}