An alert was sent out to keep people away from Temple Israel (Picture: Reuters
A gunman has been shot dead after ramming a car into a Jewish day care and synagogue in Michigan.
ABC News said that a driver intentionally rammed a vehicle into the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan.
The vehicle was seen steering around security bollards, which lead to security personnel immediately engaging the driver and opening fire.
The vehicle caught on fire after crashing into the Temple Israel which started filling with smoke.
According to Fox News, only a lightly injured security guard was hurt in the attack before the gunman was shot dead.
Armed officers were quick to arrive at the synagogue where kids were at daycare (Picture: AP)
Detectives were still working to identify the man and a possible motive for the attack.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard says no one is in custody yet. Smoke could be seen billowing from the synagogue’s roof. Footage from the scene shows dozens of police vehicles surrounding the building.
FBI Director Kash Patel said agents are on scene of an ‘apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation’.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s office said authorities are clearing the building. About a dozen parents sprinted to get their children from an early childhood learning center inside the building after getting approval from police. West Bloomfield School District went on lockdown.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement saying she was tracking developments.
‘This is heartbreaking,’ the governor said. ‘Michigan’s Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace.’
Temple Israel calls itself the nation’s largest Reform synagogue, with 12,000 members. according to its website.
It has an early childhood education centre and offers educational programs for families and adults.
The website says the synagogue is ‘passionate about helping Jewish communities across the globe’ and that its mission is to ‘create a community building through the lens of Reform Judaism.’
The Jewish Federation of Detroit advised all Jewish organisations in the area ‘to go into lockout protocol — nobody in or out of your building.’
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