Michigan synagogue car-ramming suspect bought $2,000 worth of fireworks before attack

Michigan synagogue car-ramming suspect bought $2,000 worth of fireworks before attack

On March 10, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, the accused perpetrator of a recent antisemitic attack, visited a Detroit-area fireworks shop. According to Phantom Fireworks, he registered as a customer and spent over 45 minutes inside the store before leaving with more than $2,000 in explosives. This occurred two days prior to the incident at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, where he allegedly drove a pickup into the building, sparking a fire during a preschool session. No children or staff were harmed, but 63 law enforcement officers required hospitalization due to smoke inhalation, as reported by Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.

Federal authorities have confirmed Ghazali as the attacker, with the FBI stating he was “forensically confirmed” following the discovery of his burned body. The agency initially suspected him but awaited definitive evidence, which emerged after the vehicle’s engine compartment ignited during a gunfight with security officers. Ghazali, a U.S. citizen from Lebanon, fired at least two shots before taking his own life, according to Special Agent Jennifer Runyan of the Detroit field office. She noted he had no prior criminal record, no registered weapons, and had never been under FBI scrutiny.

“He certainly had no appearance of nervousness,” said Alan Zoldan, Phantom Fireworks’ executive vice president. “He was going to be celebrating Eid, you know, the end of Ramadan.” The store’s employee, who processed Ghazali’s order, recalled his calm demeanor. Eid al-Fitr, a Muslim holiday marking the conclusion of Ramadan, is set for next week.

Ghazali’s motive remains under investigation, though the FBI has classified the attack as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.” The agency clarified that the incident is not linked to a separate shooting at Old Dominion University in Virginia, which was attributed to a man with ISIS ties. Investigators are examining potential connections to Hezbollah, as Ghazali had been questioned about his associations upon returning to the U.S. from overseas.

Local officials in Michigan revealed Ghazali’s family suffered losses in an Israeli airstrike last week. The attack killed two of his brothers, Hezbollah members, and his niece and nephew. Federal agents obtained his name and address from Phantom Fireworks records through a subpoena. A video shared by the store shows the individual who identified himself as Ghazali, though details of his actions remain under review.