Police in Detroit area respond to “active shooter situation” at Temple Israel

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office says law enforcement is responding to an “active shooter situation” at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, on Thursday afternoon. 

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said about 1:35 p.m. Thursday that shots were fired in the area and that area residents within a mile of the location have been asked to shelter in place. The Jewish Community Center is where parents of Temple Israel students can meet up with their children.

“Don’t come to the area. It’s active, it’s busy,” he said to those who otherwise would not be in the area.

There are no injuries confirmed, “except potentially the shooter,” the sheriff said.

That person, as of 1:35 p.m., was not in custody, Bouchard said.

Temple Israel is located on 5725 Walnut Lake Road near the intersection of Walnut Lake and Drake roads and, according to its website, is the largest Reform synagogue in the United States. 

West Bloomfield police, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police are at the scene. Emergency personnel are working to clear Temple Israel. 

The public is asked to avoid the area. West Bloomfield High School, West Bloomfield Middle School, Doherty Elementary School and Bloomfield Hills Schools are currently in secure mode. 

The Jewish Federation of Detroit is asking all Jewish organizations to go into “lockout protocol.” 

“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,” the Michigan State Police reported.

The Ann Arbor Police Department said it was aware of reports of the incident in West Bloomfield, “out of an abundance of caution.”

Ann Arbor Police Chief Andre Anderson directed officers to increase patrols and respond to local houses of worship and schools throughout the city as a precautionary safety measure, the police department said.

There have been no reports of injuries. 

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement, saying in part that she is monitoring the situation and said, “Michigan’s Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace. Antisemitism and violence have no place in Michigan. I am hoping for everyone’s safety.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.