Michigan synagogue attack deemed Hezbollah-inspired terrorism

The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed Monday that the attack on the largest Jewish synagogue in Michigan earlier this month is being investigated as an act of terrorism.

(CNN)- The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed Monday that the attack on the largest Jewish synagogue in Michigan earlier this month is being investigated as an act of terrorism.

“Based on the evidence gathered to date, we assess this attack to be a Hezbollah-inspired act of terrorism, purposely targeting the Jewish community,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office.

The attack happened March 12, when the suspect rammed a pickup truck into the synagogue while more than 100 children were attending school inside. Authorities say the driver struck a security officer before the vehicle became lodged in a hallway.

An exchange of gunfire followed between the suspect and synagogue security officers. The attacker then shot and killed himself. The truck caught fire, causing extensive damage to the building.

Investigators say the vehicle was packed with more than $2,000 worth of commercial-grade fireworks and roughly 35 gallons of gasoline, which they believe were used to enhance the explosion.

The suspect was a naturalized U.S. citizen. According to authorities, members of his family in Lebanon — including two brothers — were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the week leading up to the attack. The Israeli military has said one of those brothers was a commander with Hezbollah.

The FBI also says the suspect’s online activity since January 2026 showed repeated searches for pro-Hezbollah and Iranian news content, as well as videos involving shootings and weapons.