Published on 12/03/2026 - 19:14 GMT+1•Updated 20:52

A man armed with a rifle who rammed his vehicle into a major synagogue in Michigan has been shot dead by security.

No deaths or injuries were reported other than one security officer who was hit by the vehicle but did not suffer life-threatening injuries, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said.

The vehicle caught fire after being driven into the Temple Israel synagogue in West Blomfield Township. Smoke could be seen billowing from the synagogue's roof. Footage from the scene showed dozens of police vehicles surrounding the building.

Investigators were looking to identify the man, as well as his motive for the attach, news agency The Associated Press reported.

FBI Director Kash Patel said agents are on scene of an “apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation” at the synagogue.

The Jewish Federation of Detroit advised all Jewish organisations in the area “to go into lockout protocol — nobody in or out of your building,” before later lifting its advisory.

Temple Israel has 12,000 members, according to its website. It offers educational programmes for families and adults.

Synagogues around the world on edge

Synagogues have been on edge and ramping up security around the world since the US and Israel started a war with Iran with missile strikes on 28 February.

In a similar incident last October, a man drove a car into people outside an Orthodox synagogue in the city of Manchester in the UK on Yom Kippur, killing two and injuring three before he was shot and killed by officers.