Metro Detroit Leader Speaks on Temple Israel Attack

New details emerge about the man authorities believe is responsible for the attack in West Bloomfield.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:37pm

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As the West Bloomfield community begins to heal from the attack at Temple Israel on Thursday, new details about the man authorities believe is responsible are beginning to emerge. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that 41-year-old Lebanese-born Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, from Dearborn Heights, came to the U.S. legally in 2011 and became a naturalized citizen in 2016. Sources within the local Lebanese American community say Ghazali's family members, including his brothers and two of their children, were killed after an airstrike in Lebanon during the ongoing war with Iran, and that Ghazali called his ex-wife about an hour before the attack.

Why it matters

The nature of this offense and its broader global political implications have understandably caused concern, fear and many questions within the West Bloomfield community. The attack on a sacred space has prompted additional police patrols at all places of worship in the metro area, and the Islamic community is offering support to their Jewish neighbors as they heal.

The details

Authorities believe Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a 41-year-old Lebanese-born man from Dearborn Heights, is responsible for the attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. Ghazali came to the U.S. legally in 2011 on an IR-1 immigrant visa after being sponsored by his then-wife, and he became a naturalized citizen in 2016. Sources say Ghazali previously worked at a restaurant in the Dearborn Heights area, was widely liked, and had deep ties with the local Lebanese American community for nearly 16 years. However, sources also say Ghazali's family members, including his brothers and two of their children, were killed after an airstrike in Lebanon during the ongoing war with Iran, and that Ghazali called his ex-wife about an hour before the attack.

  • The attack occurred on Thursday at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield.
  • Ghazali called his ex-wife about an hour before the attack.

The players

Ayman Mohamad Ghazali

A 41-year-old Lebanese-born man from Dearborn Heights who authorities believe is responsible for the attack at Temple Israel. Ghazali came to the U.S. legally in 2011 and became a naturalized citizen in 2016.

Michael Guzowski

The Dearborn Heights Police Chief who said the nature of the offense and its broader global political implications have understandably caused concern, fear and many questions within the community.

Imad Hamad

The executive director of the American Human Rights Council who said that an attack on a community of faith, regardless of the faith, is an attack against all of us.

Mo Baydoun

The Dearborn Heights Mayor who said that the grief is real and heartbreaking, but that violence cannot be justified or condoned under any circumstances.

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What they’re saying

“The nature of this offense and its broader global political implications have understandably caused concern, fear and many questions within our community.”

— Michael Guzowski, Dearborn Heights Police Chief (cbsnews.com)

“I don't know him personally, but what I heard about him, he's been a good man, gentleman, hardworking man. There were no issues or concerns about him.”

— Imad Hamad, Executive Director, American Human Rights Council (cbsnews.com)

“To handle this challenge as violence is something that cannot be justified, cannot be condoned under any circumstances, under all circumstances, regardless of how tough and traumatic the situation can be.”

— Imad Hamad, Executive Director, American Human Rights Council (cbsnews.com)

“That grief is real, and it's heartbreaking. But let me be clear, that is not an excuse. These actions do not reflect our values as a city. No, this is not who we are. There is never an excuse for violence, especially violence directed at a sacred space.”

— Mo Baydoun, Dearborn Heights Mayor (cbsnews.com)

“We see that an attack on a community of faith, regardless of the faith; it's an attack against all of us.”

— Imad Hamad, Executive Director, American Human Rights Council (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

In response to the attack, additional round-the-clock police patrols have been sent to all places of worship in the metro area.

The takeaway

This attack has understandably caused concern and fear within the West Bloomfield community, prompting increased security measures at places of worship. However, community leaders have emphasized that violence cannot be justified, and that an attack on one faith community is an attack on all. As the Islamic community offers support to their Jewish neighbors, the focus remains on healing and preventing such tragedies in the future.