Michigan synagogue attacker died from self-inflicted gunshot wound: FBI

( Post Millennial )

The gunman who crashed his vehicle into a Michigan synagogue died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being confronted by armed security officers, according to the FBI.

41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a Lebanese-born American citizen, rammed his Ford truck with explosives into the doors of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield at about 12:20 pm on Thursday. He then exited the vehicle with a rifle and exchanged gunfire with security personnel. Initial reports claimed that security shot and killed him, but federal investigators have now confirmed that Ghazali shot himself during the confrontation.

"His engine compartment catches on fire, and at some point during the gunfight, Ghazali suffers a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” FBI Special Agent Jennifer Runyan told reporters on Friday. “In the bed of the truck, we found large quantities of commercial-grade fireworks and several jugs of flammable liquid we believe to be gasoline, some of which has been consumed in the fire.”

Ghazali reportedly targeted the synagogue after losing family members during the conflict between Israel and Lebanon. Mo Baydoun, the mayor of Dearbon Heights, confirmed in a statement on social media that Ghazali lived in the city and had recently lost relatives.

"Earlier today, we learned that the individual responsible for the incident that took place at Temple Israel Synagogue in West Bloomfield was a resident of Dearborn Heights. He died at the scene," Baydoun said. "Earlier this month, he lost several members of his own family, including his niece and nephew, in an Israeli attack on their home in Lebanon."

Baydoun also condemned the attack and told residents of the city, which has a large Muslim population, to remain vigilant, "especially as we gather during these sacred final days of Ramadan."

Ghazali was born in Lebanon in 1985 and entered the US in May 2011 as the spouse of a us citizen. According to a report by Fox News, he had an IR1 visa, which is granted to married couples. In 2015, he applied for naturalization and was granted citizenship in 2016.