Detroit synagogue active shooter still on loose after crashing into America’s largest
The shooter who opened fire on a Michigan synagogue after reportedly crashing a car into the building is still on the loose, police have warned.
The suspect smashed a truck into the Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township before letting off shots inside, Michigan State Police confirmed.
The shooter remains at large and police are working to determine if there additional assailants were involved.
‘We are looking to see if there is more than one person,’ Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard reporters. He added that there are no confirmed fatalities or injuries.
‘We don’t have that person in custody. It’s a work in progress, so that’s why we’re sheltering in place until we figure it out. It’s a big facility with a lot of land around it.’
Sheriff Bouchard said security inside the synagogue ‘engaged the threat.’ All teachers and children in the early childhood center are safe and accounted for.
Images obtained by WDIV show a large police presence on the scene with smoke coming out of windows and a vent on the roof.
Scores of police vehicles from neighboring departments, a SWAT team and a bomb squad have responded to the scene.
Officers responded to the synagogue, seen here, on Thursday with smoke seen coming out of the roof and a side door
Dozens of police cars are seen here on the scene
The synagogue is a reform Jewish place of worship that has a preschool attached to it
The synagogue is a reform Jewish place of worship that has a preschool attached to it. It has one of the largest congregations in the country and was open at the time.
One woman who spoke WDIV named Lisa said that the preschool was in use at the time.
She told the outlet: ‘I’m scared to death for my friends, I’ve never seen anything like this. My first thought was the children.
‘Parents are grandparents are coming and they’re scared to death for their children. This is senseless, this is not okay.’
As she spoke several adults could be seen embracing one another in tears as they stood in front of a police line.
State Police said: ‘The Michigan State Police is aware of an active shooting incident that is ongoing in West Bloomfield.
‘We are asking for community members to stay away from the area to allow for police response. Troopers are also increasing patrols at other places of worship in the district.’
Law enforcement respond to the active shooter situation at Temple Israel synagogue
West Bloomfield School District said: ‘We have been alerted by the West Bloomfield Police Department of a police situation in the community.’
The Jewish Federation of Detroit said: ‘We are aware of an active security incident at Temple Israel. Law enforcement are responding.
‘Our Jewish agencies are currently in precautionary lockdown We ask community members to stay away from the area at this time.’
FBI Director Kash Patel said that bureau personnel were on the scene assisting in efforts.
This is a breaking news story.