Authorities have identified the man responsible for the attack Thursday at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, as a 41-year-old Lebanese-born U.S. citizen, according to information provided to CBS News by the Department of Homeland Security.

DHS officials said the suspect, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali of Dearborn Heights, legally entered the United States in 2011 after being sponsored by his then-wife, who is a U.S. citizen. He later obtained American citizenship in 2016. According to DHS, Ghazali arrived on an IR1 immigrant visa and submitted his application for naturalization on Oct. 20, 2015.

West Bloomfield Police Chief Dale Young said police were dispatched to the synagogue shortly after noon following reports of gunfire. Officers responded to what he described as an “active shooter situation” at approximately 12:19 p.m. on March 12, with first responders arriving within about five minutes. Investigators said the suspect drove a vehicle directly into the building.

Officials reported that the vehicle burst into flames after crashing into the structure.

“Temple security officers engaged the individual and neutralized the threat,” Young said. “Our officers, combined with area agencies, cleared the building multiple times and successfully evacuated all children and staff.”

The FBI has opened an investigation into the incident and is treating it as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.”

“This is a deeply disturbing and tragic incident, and our deepest sympathies are with the victims, their family and the entire Jewish community,” said Jennifer Runyan, FBI Detroit’s special agent in charge.

Individuals in the local Lebanese American community, including one person who said he has known Ghazali for more than ten years, told CBS News that members of Ghazali’s family were killed in Lebanon during the ongoing conflict with Iran. According to those sources, several relatives — including his brothers and two of their children — died in an airstrike there. They also said Ghazali contacted his ex-wife roughly an hour before the attack in West Bloomfield, prompting her to immediately alert authorities.

Those familiar with Ghazali described him as someone who had lived in the area for roughly 16 or 17 years. They said he was not involved in political or ideological activity and insisted he was someone who “couldn’t hurt a bug.”

Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun issued a statement on social media condemning the attack and calling for unity in response to violence against religious institutions.

“Everyone deserves to worship in peace, and we must unequivocally condemn any attack on a house of worship or the people within it.”

“This tragedy comes at a time when communities everywhere are confronting rising hate and senseless violence,” Baydoun said. “No matter where violence occurs, whether in West Bloomfield or anywhere around in the world, harm against innocent people is something we must all stand firmly against. The tensions we see across the world too often find their way into our own neighborhoods, reminding us how deeply connected our shared safety is.”

Baydoun added that city officials are coordinating with local law enforcement to ensure additional protection for houses of worship and said he has been in communication with the West Bloomfield township supervisor to offer assistance.

Police departments across Southeast Michigan have also announced that they are stepping up patrols in their jurisdictions following the attack.

Temple Israel later confirmed that all 140 students and staff members inside the building at the time were safely accounted for.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said one of the synagogue’s senior security officers was struck by the vehicle and “knocked unconscious.” The guard was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment after fellow team members pulled him to safety.

Bouchard also reported that 30 responding law enforcement officers required medical treatment for smoke inhalation following the fire that erupted after the crash.