Michigan Synagogue and Virginia University Shootings Spark Outrage and Investigation

FBI Identifies Suspect in Temple Israel Synagogue Attack

A vehicle ramming incident at Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, resulted in the death of the assailant. The FBI confirmed that the suspect, identified as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a 41-year-old naturalized US citizen born in Lebanon, was killed after engaging in a shooting with law enforcement.

Ghazali had previously arrived in the US on a relative visa in 2011 and received his citizenship in 2016. The incident occurred at approximately 05:33 GMT on Thursday, prompting an FBI response to an “active shooter situation” at the synagogue.

According to Oakland Sheriff Mike Bouchard, a car was rammed into the synagogue, which also houses an early learning center for children. The driver then fired a gun at security personnel at the site. Security officials engaged Ghazali in gunfire, resulting in his death.

Thirty law enforcement officers were taken to hospital after inhaling smoke from the fire that erupted in Ghazali’s vehicle. One security official was hit by the vehicle and knocked unconscious but was otherwise uninjured.

Separately, a gunman opened fire at Old Dominion University in Virginia, killing one person. The FBI identified the gunman as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former member of the Army National Guard who pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support for ISIL (ISIS).

The FBI is leading the investigation into both incidents, which are being treated as “acts of terror.” Authorities have not yet disclosed the motive behind the attacks or the targets of the assailants.

Source: Al Jazeera