‘It was hate, plain and simple’: Gov. Whitmer addresses synagogue attack during West Bloomfield visit

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. (FOX 2) – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visited West Bloomfield on Friday to be briefed on the investigation into an attack at a synagogue before addressing the media.

The governor spoke about the antisemitism that took place when a man rammed his truck into the Temple Israel building, where more than 100 children ages 5 and younger were attending school.

“Parents bring their children to daycare and school, and it’s a place of peace, unity, light and life. Yesterday’s attack was antisemitism. It was hate, plain and simple,” she said. “This is not a political moment. This is not a political debate. This is targeting babies who are Jewish. That’s anti-Semitism at its absolute worst.”

Whitmer, along with Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who joined her for the press conference, encouraged Michiganders to call out anti-Semitism when they see it.

“We must lower the rhetoric in the state and in this country, especially at this moment where we have seen such a rise in anti-Semitism and more attacks on the Jewish community,” Whitmer said.

Watch the entire press conference above.

The backstory:

Just after 12:15 p.m. Thursday, police began receiving calls about an active shooter at the synagogue, which also houses a learning center and was full of children at the time.

According to sources, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, 41, was armed with a rifle when he crashed a truck into the building, hitting and knocking a security guard unconscious. Another security guard was able to shoot Ghazali, who was found dead inside his vehicle.

Authorities have not confirmed if Ghazali fired shots, but a high-level source told FOX 2 that they believe he did fire his weapon. 

The vehicle also caught fire, filling the building with smoke that led to some first responders suffering smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.

Who is Ayman Ghazali?

Ghazali is from Dearborn Heights. Sources close to the investigation say the suspect is from Lebanon and that his family was killed in an airstrike over the weekend amid the war with Iran.

Dearborn Heights later confirmed, stating that he lost several members of his own family, including his niece and nephew, in an attack on their home in Lebanon.

Officials said Ghazali was born in Lebanon in 1985 and entered the US on May 10, 2011, on an IR1 immigrant visa as the spouse of a U.S. citizen.

FOX News reports that according to DHS, Ghazali applied for naturalization on Oct. 20, 2015 and became a U.S. citizen on Feb. 5, 2016.

What was the motive?

The motive for the attack is still under investigation, but the FBI said they are treating it as a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.

What you can do:

The FBI has activated a digital media tip line for any witnesses who had photos or videos of the incident on Thursday. You can tap here to access their site. 

People can also call 1-800-CALL-FBI.