FBI: Man who crashed into Michigan synagogue was inspired by Hezbollah

Ayman Ghazali made a video before the attack saying he wanted to 'kill as many of them as I possibly can'.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:40pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car windshield, the glass reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a violent attack.The aftermath of a violent attack on a house of worship exposes the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism.Today in Detroit

The FBI said a 41-year-old man from Dearborn Heights, Michigan crashed his pickup truck into a Detroit-area synagogue earlier this month, carrying out an attack inspired by the Iran-backed terrorist organization Hezbollah. Ayman Ghazali exchanged gunfire with a security guard before fatally shooting himself, but no one else was injured in the incident.

Why it matters

This attack highlights the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism and the need for heightened security measures at houses of worship and other vulnerable public spaces. It also raises concerns about the influence of foreign terrorist groups like Hezbollah on individuals in the United States.

The details

According to the FBI, Ghazali sat in the parking lot of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township for a few hours on March 12 before smashing his Ford F150 pickup truck through the closed doors and into the hallway of an early childhood education area, striking a security guard. He then exchanged gunfire with another guard before fatally shooting himself. The pickup was stocked with commercial-grade fireworks and jugs of gasoline, which caught fire during the confrontation. First responders quickly cleared the building, and no one among the 150 children and staff was injured.

  • On March 12, Ghazali crashed his pickup truck into the synagogue.
  • Ghazali sat in the parking lot for a few hours before the attack.

The players

Ayman Ghazali

A 41-year-old man from Dearborn Heights, Michigan who carried out the attack on the synagogue, inspired by the terrorist group Hezbollah.

Hezbollah

An Iran-backed terrorist organization that inspired Ghazali's attack on the synagogue.

Temple Israel

The Detroit-area synagogue that was targeted in the attack.

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What they’re saying

“I want to kill as many of them as I possibly can.”

— Ayman Ghazali

What’s next

The FBI is continuing to investigate the incident and any potential connections Ghazali may have had to Hezbollah or other extremist groups.

The takeaway

This attack serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing threat of domestic terrorism and the need for heightened security measures at houses of worship and other vulnerable public spaces. It also highlights the concerning influence of foreign terrorist groups like Hezbollah on individuals in the United States.