Security guards assigned to protect Temple Israel, a synagogue in Oakland County, Michigan, killed a gunman who crashed his truck into the front entrance of the Jewish facility on Thursday before opening fire, according to local and federal law enforcement officials.
The prompt response to the threat spared the lives of staff and children enrolled in a day school on the campus, making the shooter’s killing the only fatality to result from the incident.
“Lockdown is still in place, but the active shooter has been taken down,” the synagogue told congregants via text message in the early afternoon. “Lockdown will be in place until they know that the shooter was working alone. All kids and all staff accounted for and fine. Truck rammed into front door and opened fire.”
The synagogue — located in West Bloomfield Township, a suburb of Detroit — later issued a statement noting “everyone is safe” after what it described as a “terrorist gunman” attacked the building.
“Temple Israel was the victim of a terrorist gunman who was confronted and neutralized by our security personnel who are truly heroes,” the synagogue wrote, praising staff and security for protecting the 140 kids at its early childhood center.
“Our teachers followed their training and kept the children safe and calm.”