WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. \u2013 Temple Israel in West Bloomfield released an update after Thursday\u2019s attack, confirming that all 140 students, as well as teachers and staff members, are safe.<\/p>\n
Police said someone drove a truck through the doors of the temple early Thursday afternoon, and shots were fired afterward. The truck also caught on fire.<\/p>\n
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said one security worker was knocked unconscious and taken to a nearby hospital, but that person is expected to be OK. The suspect is dead.<\/p>\n
At 3:47 p.m. Thursday, March 12, 2026, Temple Israel posted an update on Facebook, confirming that everyone is accounted for.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone is safe,\u201d the post says. \u201cAll 140 students in our Susan and Harold Loss Early Childhood Center, our amazing staff, our courageous teachers, and our heroic security personnel are all accounted for and safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
The post says the temple was the victim of a \u201cterrorist gunman\u201d who was neutralized by security workers. Bouchard said previously that it was too early in the investigation to call this a terror attack at the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur teachers followed their training and kept the children safe and calm,\u201d the post from Temple Israel says. \u201cWe are deeply and humbly grateful to our teachers, staff, security, law enforcement, and Shenendoah Country Club that welcomed us, fed us, and sheltered our staff, teachers, children, and parents. What incredible neighbors we have. What incredible police force we have.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here is the full statement:<\/p>\n
Dear Temple Israel Family,<\/p>\n
Everyone is safe. All 140 students in our Susan and Harold Loss Early Childhood Center, our amazing staff, our courageous teachers, and our heroic security personnel are all accounted for and safe.<\/p>\n
As you have no doubt heard, Temple Israel was the victim of a terrorist gunman who was confronted and neutralized by our security personnel who are truly heroes. Our teachers followed their training and kept the children safe and calm.<\/p>\n
We are deeply and humbly grateful to our teachers, staff, security, law enforcement, and Shenendoah Country Club that welcomed us, fed us, and sheltered our staff, teachers, children, and parents. What incredible neighbors we have. What incredible police force we have<\/p>\n
This note is coming to you before we know anything about our future programming or services, or any investigation. We wanted you to know we are safe, and we love you all.<\/p>\n
Temple Israel, West Bloomfield<\/p>\n
Click here to read a full breakdown of what police said during the first briefing<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt appears at least one individual came to the temple, security saw him, engaged him in gunfire,\u201d Bouchard said. \u201cThe scene, we\u2019re not getting any active stimulus at the moment. We have everything here that we need, including medics and tactical gear. We\u2019re looking to see if there\u2019s more than one person. We\u2019re trying to figure that out.\u201d<\/p>\n Reunification spot<\/p>\n Bouchard said at 1:35 p.m. that everyone has been moved out of the school, and reunification will be at the JCC. Parents can go there to pick up their kids.<\/p>\n If you aren\u2019t a parent or guardian, you should not go to the area.<\/p>\n School shelter-in-place lifted<\/p>\n Schools in the area were sheltering in place during the police response, but that was lifted around 3:40 p.m. Thursday.<\/p>\n High school and middle school students are being dismissed, and elementary schools are expected to dismiss at their regular time.<\/p>\n Buses have been dispatched, and the district is asking for patience.<\/p>\n All evening activities and events remain canceled for Thursday night.<\/p>\n Member of temple describes scene<\/p>\n A member of the Jewish temple spoke with Local 4, describing the scene.<\/p>\n The congregation member, Lisa, was not in the temple at the time of the crash and shooting, but knows a social worker who\u2019s in the building, has close friends there and knows people who have children at the temple\u2019s daycare.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m scared to death for my friends,\u201d Lisa said. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen anything like this. I\u2019ve never seen this number of police out here. My first thought, to be honest, were the children. There\u2019s a whole daycare program in there. Parents and grandparents have been coming, and they\u2019re scared to death for their children. I\u2019m standing here to make sure my friends are okay.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is senseless; we have to be better than this. This is not okay. I want everyone to be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n Click here to read the full story<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jewish Federation of Detroit statement<\/p>\n Here is a statement from the Jewish Federation of Detroit at 3:40 p.m. Thursday.<\/p>\n We are extraordinarily grateful and relieved that no children or congregants were seriously injured in today\u2019s assault at Temple Israel. We extend our most sincere thanks to the first responders and safety personnel for their courage, professionalism and swift action. <\/p>\n Our thoughts are with the Temple Israel Director of Security who was injured during the incident, and we wish him a full and speedy recovery. We are also deeply appreciative of our local law enforcement agencies and Jewish Community Security, Inc. for their ongoing dedication to keeping our Jewish community safe. <\/p>\n We remain steadfast in our commitment to vigilance and security, even as we continue to live proud, vibrant Jewish lives\u2014at our temples and synagogues, in our schools, and throughout our Jewish organizations. Finally, we thank the community for the outpouring of support, compassion, and concern during this difficult moment.<\/p>\n Jewish Federation of DetroitGov. Gretchen Whitmer statement<\/p>\n Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement:<\/p>\n I am tracking reports of an active shooting at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. We are working with Michigan State Police to get more information.<\/p>\n This is heartbreaking. Michigan\u2019s Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace. Antisemitism and violence have no place in Michigan. I am hoping for everyone\u2019s safety. <\/p>\n Thank you to law enforcement for their swift action.<\/p>\n Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer<\/p>\n