The vehicle caught fire after crashing into the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The AP.
The attacker drove through a set of doors and into a hallway where something in the vehicle ignited, a sheriff said.
“He was traveling with purpose down the hall, from my look at the video,” Oakland County Sheriff Sheriff Mike Bouchard said.
Investigators were still working to identify the man’s identity and a possible motive for the attack, said the person who could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. The person cautioned that the investigation was still in the early stages.
Smoke could be seen billowing from the synagogue, which houses an early childhood center.
“No kids or no staff were injured whatsoever,” Oakland County Sheriff Sheriff Mike Bouchard. He said one security officer was hit by the vehicle and knocked unconscious but did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
Thursday's incident comes just days after two young Muslims threw home-made bombs into a group of people at a protest in New York City. Fortunately, the explosives did not explode.
Police say the two teens were inspired by the Islamic State terrorist group.
