FBI Provides Details on Terrorist Attack at Michigan Jewish Center

The FBI has announced the date and time of the terrorist attack on a Jewish center and school in Michigan, which occurred on March 12. They also disclosed that the perpetrator was motivated by Hezbollah.

At a press conference on Monday, Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan discussed the case. The attacker, Ayman Mohamed Ghazali, a 41-year-old naturalized citizen from Lebanon, conducted a calculated operation aimed at targeting U.S. institutions and attempting to harm as many “Israelis” as possible.

Runyan emphasized, “This terrorist acted on behalf of Hezbollah.”

Between March 9 and March 11, Ghazali conducted extensive online research for Jewish centers in the Detroit area, practiced shooting at a local range, and acquired firearms, ammunition, numerous 5.3-gallon containers, gasoline, and fireworks valued over $2,200.

His online searches included queries like “largest Israeli gathering in Michigan,” “Orthodox synagogue,” and “centers affiliated with the Israeli embassy in Michigan.” Although he attempted to erase these searches, investigators managed to recover them.

On March 11, Ghazali made numerous social media posts that referenced jihad, martyrdom, Hezbollah, and shared images of family members who had died in recent Middle Eastern attacks.

One of his posts featured pictures of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and the former Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, accompanied by an Arabic message calling for revenge.

On the day of the attack, Ghazali shared several alarming messages:

• “We seek retribution for their sacred blood.”
• “Israel has a cancerous/malignant tumor epidemic.”
• “Israel is pure evil.”
• “The oppressors will soon see what their end will be.”

Earlier that morning, he contacted his ex-wife, prompting her to request a welfare check from the Dearborn Heights Police. He also reached out to his sister, believed to be living in Lebanon.

Ghazali continued posting on social media and messaging his sister until he drove his truck to Temple Israel in West Bloomfield at 12:19 p.m. Along the way, he recorded videos and shared numerous memes and messages.

• One meme stated, “Jihad is the gateway to heaven, open to God’s chosen ones.”
• He shared an Arabic national anthem titled “This People Sends You a Call.”
• A video depicted him holding a weapon while saying, “We rely on God.”
• One photo included a Quranic verse about believers being faithful to their promises to God.

In his final videos sent to his sister, he described his intended actions: “This is the largest gathering place for Israelis in Michigan, USA. I have booby-trapped their cars. I will force my way in and start shooting at them. God willing, I will kill as many Israelis as possible.”

Approximately ten minutes after these videos were sent, Ghazali arrived at the Jewish center and exchanged gunfire with security, causing his vehicle to catch fire and filling the area with smoke.

Ghazali ultimately died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, becoming the sole fatality in the incident.

Runyan mentioned that Ghazali seemed deeply troubled by the loss of family members in the Middle East. However, she clarified that his fascination with Hezbollah and violence preceded their deaths. By January 2026, he was already engaged with pro-Hezbollah content online.

It was also noted that there’s no evidence suggesting he had any accomplices, and authorities do not believe there is an ongoing risk to the community. Jerome Gorgon, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, indicated that had Ghazali survived, he would have faced federal charges for providing support to a terrorist organization.

Throughout the press conference, both Runyan and Gorgon reiterated that the Temple Israel attack was inspired by Hezbollah, stating, “We assess this attack as a Hezbollah-inspired terrorist act that intentionally targeted the Jewish community.” Investigations into the incident are still ongoing.