FBI intervenes after shooting at synagogue in Michigan

Police in the US state of Michigan responded to a shooting at the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, a suburb of Detroit, on Thursday. According to security officials, the suspect was shot dead.

Oakland County sheriff Michael Bouchard said no injuries had been confirmed except for the suspected shooter. Footage from the scene showed smoke rising from the roof of the synagogue, in front of which a large number of police and fire vehicles had gathered.

FBI director Kash Patel reported that, in addition to the shooting at the synagogue, officers also responded to an incident in which a car struck a security guard. The guard was taken to the hospital.

CNN, citing several sources, reported that a large quantity of explosives was found in the back of the suspect’s car.

Temple Israel also operates an early childhood centre that provides care and education for children from six weeks of age. Local media reported that children from the nursery were evacuated by bus.

The Jewish Federation of Detroit announced that its affiliated organisations in the region had closed as a precaution following the incident. Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel said that antisemitism has no place in the state and cannot be tolerated.

(reuters, max)