FBI held active-shooter training at Temple Israel synagogue 6 weeks ago

Melissa Nann Burke, The Detroit News on Mar 12, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

DETROIT — The FBI in January held an active-shooter prevention training at the same synagogue in West Bloomfield Township where a gunman Thursday rammed his truck into the building and then opened fire on the temple, exchanging gunfire with security guards before he was killed.

The training was designed to help staff and security personnel respond to the type of incident that unfolded at the synagogue, which praised its security personnel as "heroes" after the attack.

The confrontation sent one security guard to the hospital with injuries sustained when the gunman rammed into the building, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said. The attack prompted nearby schools to shelter in place and emergency officials to warn residents to avoid the area.

In a letter to members of its congregation, Temple Israel described the attacker as a "terrorist gunman who was confronted and neutralized by our security personnel who are truly heroes."

The FBI Detroit led an active-shooter attack prevention and preparedness session for the clergy and staff at Temple Israel in late January, according to a Jan. 30 post by the agency on social media.

The FBI said the course "combines lessons learned from years of research and employs scenario-based exercises to help participants practice the decision-making process of the Run, Hide, Fight principles and take necessary actions for survival."

The agency said its Detroit office has partnered with many organizations in Michigan "and is committed to protecting schools, workplaces, houses of worship, medical facilities, transportation centers, government facilities, other public gathering sites, and communities."

Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is Jewish and originally from West Bloomfield, said Thursday she has family who attend Temple Israel and that she did a presentation on hate crimes and domestic terrorism at the temple a year ago. She noted the synagogue recently went through an active shooter drill.

"They were very well prepared,” Nessel said Thursday on CNN.

________