Attack on Michigan temple was Hezbollah-inspired, FBI says
Attack on Michigan Temple Linked to Hezbollah, FBI Confirms
The FBI has identified the recent assault on a prominent Michigan synagogue as a “Hezbollah-inspired act of terrorism,” aimed specifically at the Jewish community. The incident, which occurred on March 9, involved a vehicle ramming and shooting attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, according to a statement released Monday by Jennifer Runyan, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Detroit.
Perpetrator’s Actions and Motives
Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a U.S. citizen of Lebanese origin, had purchased an AR-style rifle three days prior to the attack. He then drove his truck, filled with gasoline and fireworks, into the synagogue before opening fire. Ghazali, 41, ultimately killed himself during the exchange of gunfire with security personnel, as his vehicle became lodged inside the building, authorities reported.
“Based on the evidence gathered to date, we assess this attack to be a Hezbollah-inspired act of terrorism purposely targeting the Jewish community,” Runyan stated.
Hours before the attack, Ghazali sent a video to his sister in Lebanon. Though officials believed she did not view it until an hour later, the message translated to: “This is the largest gathering place for Israelis in the state of Michigan in the United States. I have booby-trapped the car. I will forcefully enter and start shooting them. God willing, I will kill as many of them as I possibly can.”
Preparation and Intent
Runyan revealed that Ghazali had been researching pro-Hezbollah materials since January. However, his active planning began on March 9, the day of the attack. He attempted to purchase a firearm from two individuals who refused to sell it, but later acquired an AR-style rifle, 10 magazines, and approximately 300 rounds of .223-caliber ammunition from a Dearborn Heights gun store.
Online, he ordered a magazine pouch and 40 collapsible water containers, each capable of holding 5.3 gallons. The containers arrived the day before the attack, and Ghazali filled them with gasoline. He also bought two torch lights, which were used to ignite the fire following the shooting.
Before the assault, Ghazali posted photos to a Facebook album titled “vengeance,” featuring images of the deceased Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Hezbollah’s secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah. He also included a phrase in Arabic: “Burn their world, for we have a vendetta against them, that we will never forget,” along with Hezbollah-related visuals.
Background and Context
Officials noted that the attack took place two weeks after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran, resulting in the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and escalating regional tensions. Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based militant group backed by Iran, has a history of targeting Israel, and the U.S. has classified it as a foreign terrorist organization since 1997.
Ghazali’s personal ties to Hezbollah were evident through his family’s experience. A local Lebanese official and the mayor of Dearborn Heights confirmed that he had lost several relatives in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon prior to the attack. His ex-wife, who lived in the same area, reported his distress and requested a welfare check from police.
On the morning of March 11, Ghazali sent 19 videos, photos, and messages to his sister while parked near the synagogue. These communications emphasized his determination to carry out a mass attack. At 12:19 p.m., he drove his pickup into the building, advancing about 200 feet down a hallway before engaging security. Afterward, he set the fireworks ablaze, contributing to a significant fire that caused smoke inhalation injuries among first responders.
Although no fatalities were reported beyond Ghazali, a temple security guard sustained an injury during the incident. Investigators found no evidence of accomplices, underscoring Ghazali’s solitary role in the attack.
