Active shooter incident at Detroit-area synagogue

Max Bryan, The Detroit News on Mar 12, 2026

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DETROIT — Shots were fired at a West Bloomfield synagogue Thursday afternoon, prompting nearby schools to shelter in place and emergency officials to warn residents to avoid the area.

The synagogue is located at 5725 Walnut Lake Road, west of Orchard Lake Road and east of Drake. No injuries had been confirmed as of 1:40 p.m., according to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.

"Nobody at the moment has been confirmed to be hurt, except potentially the shooter," Bouchard said.

The incident happened before 1 p.m. Thursday and involved a car, though Bouchard provided few other details.

"It's active and it's busy, and we're still trying to figure it out," Bouchard added.

All nearby schools and houses of worship have been told to shelter in place while police respond. Officials urged the public to stay away from the area and said more information would be released as it became available.

"The Michigan State Police is aware of an active shooting incident that is ongoing in West Bloomfield," said the state police in a statement. "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."

Dozens of police and emergency vehicles from across Oakland County rushed to the scene early Thursday afternoon — including state police and West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Clawson, Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Pleasant Ridge police.

“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,” the Jewish Federation of Detroit said in a statement.

Oakland County Sheriff spokesman Stephen Huber said deputies are clearing the building now. He had no further comment.

Outside the synagogue, more than a dozen people stood outside near Walnut Lake Road, waiting for information. Helicopters swarmed above.

Temple Israel is one of multiple synagogues across West Bloomfield. Its current campus was built in 1980 and expanded in 1989. It includes an early childhood center and a religious school for kids in preschool through 12th grade.

At least two other religious institutions have been attacked in Michigan in less than a year. In September last year, a man drove his truck into a Church of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blanc Township and also set the building on fire, killing four and injuring multiple others.

And in June last year, a gunman approached CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne with multiple guns and attempted to enter before he was fatally shot by a member of the church's security team.

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