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

The suspect in Thursday’s attack on a Jewish synagogue in Michigan was initially identified as Ayman Muhammad Ghazali, a 41-year-old Lebanese-born American citizen, three law enforcement sources told Fox News.

Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun stated that Ghazali reportedly targeted the Jewish community after suffering family losses in Lebanon during the country’s conflict with Israel, adding that Ghazali resides in this city.

Ghazali allegedly crashed a vehicle into Temple Israel, a large Reform Jewish synagogue in West Bloomfield, at approximately 12:30 a.m. local time. He then exited the vehicle with a rifle and exchanged fire with armed security, who shot and killed him.

“The tragic attack on the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan was carried out by Ayman Muhammad Ghazali,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement to Fox News.

MICHIGAN SYNAGOGUE ATTACK SUSPECT WAS IDENTIFIED, HE ENTERED US FROM LEBANON WITH A SPOUSE VISA: DHS

Investigation ongoing

The mayor of Dearborn Heights said in a statement on social media that it was reported that the suspect lost many family members in the Israeli attack on their home in Lebanon.

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

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

Baydoun also condemned the attack and called on residents to be aware and vigilant “especially as we gather together in these last holy days of Ramadan.”

TRUCK WAS CAUGHT ON CAMERA DRIVING TO THE FAMOUS AUSTRALIAN SYNAGOGUE FOR ALLEGED HATE CRIME

A woman gathers children as law enforcement officers respond to a call at the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Corey Williams)

Road to the USA

The suspect, who lives near Dearborn, Michigan, entered the United States about 15 years ago under the Obama administration as the spouse of a U.S. citizen, multiple law enforcement sources and federal officials said. He was later granted citizenship five years later in 2016.

Born in Lebanon on Jan. 4, 1985, Ghazali entered the U.S. at 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 indicating the couple was married as of May 2009, a type of green card usually issued to couples who have been married for at least two years at the time of visa approval or entry.

Before his arrival, his partner submitted two petitions under a dual-filing strategy in December 2009, a fiancée petition and a foreign relative petition, both of which were approved in April 2010, authorities said.

He then applied for citizenship on October 20, 2015, and received US citizenship on February 5, 2016, under the Obama administration.

Local media outlet The Detroit News added He said Ghazali was a worker in Dearborn Heights.

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

After the attack

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

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

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Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said earlier that the suspect’s truck hit a security guard. Bouchard added in an update that the number of responders affected had increased significantly, with approximately 30 police officers hospitalized for smoke inhalation after entering the building.

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