Dearborn Heights leaders condemn attack on Temple Israel

Authorities say Israeli strikes in Lebanon don't justify violence against Jewish houses of worship

Mar. 14, 2026 at 10:05am

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Dearborn Heights city and faith leaders condemned the attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, saying that the grief felt by the attacker over recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon that killed his family members does not excuse the violence. The mayor and an interfaith leader made clear there is no justification for attacking a sacred space and that the Jewish community deserves to worship without fear.

Why it matters

The attack on Temple Israel has raised concerns about the impact of rising tensions in the Middle East on local communities in Michigan. Dearborn Heights and the surrounding region have a large population of Lebanese-Americans who have been affected by the ongoing conflict, but city leaders emphasized that this does not give anyone a "blank check" to target Jewish institutions.

The details

Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a 41-year-old Dearborn Heights resident, rammed his truck into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield and exchanged fire with police before taking his own life. A few days before the March 12 attack, Ghazali's family members were killed in an Israeli strike in Lebanon, according to local leaders. Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun and prominent Shia cleric Imam Hassan Qazwini condemned the attack, stating that the grief felt by Ghazali does not justify violence against a synagogue or any house of worship.

  • On March 8, a memorial service was held at the Islamic Institute of America in Dearborn Heights for Ghazali's family members who were killed in the Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
  • The attack on Temple Israel occurred on March 12.

The players

Ayman Mohamad Ghazali

A 41-year-old Dearborn Heights resident who attacked Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, killing himself after exchanging fire with police.

Mo Baydoun

The mayor of Dearborn Heights who condemned the attack on Temple Israel, stating that the grief felt by Ghazali over the loss of his family members in Lebanon does not justify violence against a Jewish house of worship.

Imam Hassan Qazwini

The religious leader of the Islamic Institute of America in Dearborn Heights and a prominent interfaith leader in Michigan who met with Ghazali at the memorial service and condemned the attack on Temple Israel.

Abdullah Hammoud

The mayor of Dearborn who released a statement praying for the safety of the West Bloomfield Jewish community and emphasizing that there is no place for violence in houses of worship.

Tarek Bazzi

A speaker at the Al-Quds Day rally in Dearborn who criticized U.S. military actions in the Middle East.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.