FBI: Temple Israel Attack Was Hezbollah-Inspired Act Of Terrorism

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 03/30/2026) The March 12 attack on the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield was a Hezbollah-inspired act of terrorism, FBI Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan said in a press briefing.

The FBI said March 30, 2026, that Ayman Ghazali, 41, of Dearborn Heights, is pictured here loading his truck in preparation for his March 12 attack on the Temple Israel. (Photo from FBI)

Runyan said the attack by the gunman, Ayman Ghazali, 41, of Dearborn Heights, was a "targeted" act of violence against the Jewish community based on his online activity, including searches for the "largest gathering of Israelis in Michigan."

His last search, Runyan noted, was: "What time is lunch at Temple Israel?"

While sitting in Temple Israel's parking lot, Ghazali made a Facebook status post that said, "You killed the Ali and Hussein of our time; we will avenge their blood," Runyan said.

Ghazali also sent his sister, who lives in Lebanon, 19 videos, photographs and messages "reiterating his intent to commit a mass terrorist attack and his Hezbollah ideology," Runyan noted.

One video sent to the sister showed the assailant saying he was at the "largest gathering of Israelis" in the state, and a video sent about 10 minutes before the attack had the attacker saying, "I have booby trapped the car. I will forcibly enter and start shooting them. God willing, I will kill as many of them as I possibly can."

Runyan said the sister didn't see the videos until an hour after the attack.

Ghazali's attack injured one security guard and more than 50 law enforcement officers were treated for smoke inhalation. Ghazali died from a self-inflicted gunshot. No children or other adults were injured.

U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. said had Ghazali lived, the government believes it would have brought a successful criminal case alleging Ghazali provided material support to Hezbollah, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

"He did it under Hezbollah's direction and control," Gorgon said, noting that President Bill Clinton designated Hezbollah a foreign terrorist organization in 1997 after a 1983 attack that killed 241 American service members.

In that attack, a terrorist drove a truck loaded with explosives into a building to kill Americans, and Gorgon said, "that is exactly what this terrorist did" at Temple Israel.

Runyan outlined Ghazali's planning, including his Hezbollah-inspired internet searches dating back to January and his social media postings included messages such as "the oppressors will soon know what kind of end they will meet." His posts also included photographs of his dead brothers, nieces and nephews, she noted.

An X post on March 15 from the Israel Defense Forces said Ghazali's brother, Ibrahim Muhammad Ghazali, was "eliminated" in a March 5 Israeli military strike in Lebanon. It identifies the brother as a Hezbollah commander, who was "responsible for managing weapons operations."

Runyan said Ayman Ghazali twice tried to purchase guns, but was denied before he succeeded in purchasing an AR-style rifle at a local gun store in Dearborn Heights as well as 10 rifle magazines and about 300 rounds of ammunition.

She said Ayman Ghazali also purchased water containers and more than $2,200 worth of fireworks, which he used to set his vehicle on fire inside the temple.

Runyan disputed media reports that Ayman Ghazali was the subject of or referenced in any prior FBI investigation, nor was he on the terrorist watch list.

"There was no evidence that he previously visited or conducted pre-physical surveillance or pre-attack surveillance at Temple Israel," she said.

Runyan declined to say whether the FBI is investigating Ayman Ghazali's family, citing the ongoing investigation.