Suspect in Michigan Synagogue Attack Worked at Popular Restaurant

Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Lebanon, allegedly rammed his truck into a suburban Detroit synagogue.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:58am

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Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, the suspect in the attack on a synagogue in suburban Detroit, had worked at a popular Mediterranean restaurant called Hamido in the nearby suburb of Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Acquaintances of Ghazali said they were shocked to learn he was the suspect, as he was known for taking orders at the restaurant for years.

Why it matters

The attack on the synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan has shaken the local community, especially since the suspect was someone who was known and worked in the nearby Dearborn Heights area, which has a large Lebanese population. This raises questions about how someone could allegedly commit such a violent act while also being an employee at a local business.

The details

Ghazali, a 41-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen born in Lebanon, entered the country in 2011 after being issued a visa for foreign-born spouses of U.S. citizens. He became a U.S. citizen in 2016. Employees at Hamido, the restaurant where Ghazali worked, said he had been away from the restaurant in recent weeks, and they were distressed to learn he was the alleged suspect in the synagogue attack.

  • The attack on the suburban Detroit synagogue occurred on Thursday.
  • Ghazali entered the U.S. in 2011 and became a naturalized citizen in 2016.

The players

Ayman Mohamad Ghazali

The 41-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen born in Lebanon who is the suspect in the attack on a suburban Detroit synagogue. He had worked at a popular Mediterranean restaurant called Hamido in the nearby suburb of Dearborn Heights, Michigan for years.

Hamido

A popular Mediterranean restaurant in Dearborn Heights, Michigan where Ghazali worked for years taking orders.

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What they’re saying

“He's the face of the restaurant. I've known him for years.”

— Rami Achkar, Regular customer at Hamido

“It's very bad, it's very bad.”

— Unnamed employee

The takeaway

This case highlights the shock and disbelief felt by a local community when someone they knew and interacted with regularly is accused of committing a violent crime, raising questions about how well we truly know those around us and the complex factors that can lead someone down a dark path.