Officials have revealed the identity of the man accused of ramming a truck full of explosives into a synagogue in the US.
A vehicle was driven into the Temple Israel synagogue in Michigan before the attacker exited with a rifle and exchanged gunfire with armed security - who then shot and killed him.
Now, Department of Homeland Security officials have named the man as Lebanese migrant Ayman Mohamad Ghazali.
Ghazali was born in Lebanon in 1985 and entered the US in 2011 on an IR1 immigrant visa as the spouse of a US citizen, Fox News reported.
He lived near Dearborn, Michigan and became a US citizen in February 2016.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard earlier said the suspect rammed a vehicle into the synagogue, injuring and knocking unconscious one security guard.
The sheriff confirmed there are no other victims or injuries, but did not confirm how the suspect died.
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FBI director Kash Patel said his agents rushed to the scene after an “apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation".
"A car crashed into the synagogue, and shots were fired. No information about injuries or fatalities at this time. It's still an active situation," the police also said in a statement.
Aerial news footage from the scene showed plumes of smoke rising from the roof of the synagogue, with several police vehicles nearby.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said: “I am tracking reports of an active shooting at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. We are working with Michigan State Police to get more information.
Police and FBI agents have rushed to the scene of a shooting at a Michigan synagogue
|GB NEWS
“This is heartbreaking. Michigan's Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace. Antisemitism and violence have no place in Michigan. I am hoping for everyone's safety.
“Thank you to law enforcement for their swift action.”
Local schools implemented shelter-in-place measures in response to the incident, including Doherty Elementary, West Bloomfield Middle School, West Bloomfield High School, and Orchard Lake St. Mary's.
The Jewish Federation of Detroit issued a statement: "We are aware of an active security incident at Temple Israel. Law enforcement are responding. Our Jewish agencies are currently in precautionary lockdown. We ask community members to stay away from the area at this time."
PICTURED: Heavily-armed FBI agents on the scene in Michigan
|REUTERS
It advised all Jewish organisations in the vicinity to enter lockout protocol, preventing anyone from entering or leaving their premises.
The Jewish Federation of Detroit posted a message on its Facebook page saying its affiliated agencies were "currently in precautionary lockdown" in response to the Temple Israel incident.
The incident has prompted authorities across other US states to take action amid fears that Jewish institutions nationwide may now be vulnerable.
New York’s Police Department has confirmed that it is in a “heightened threat environment".
“We’re continuing to deploy high-visibility patrols to Jewish religious and cultural institutions in the city.”
Police were clearing the area and checking for explosives as the sheriff said there was no active threat to the community following the incident.
“We want people to take a breath”, he said.
“No one was hurt… everything that was supposed to happen happened.”
Sheriff Bouchard said it is “hard to say” how fast the suspect’s vehicle was moving after it rammed into the synagogue.
He says video shows the suspect “was traveling with purpose down the hall”.
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