AG Nessel Urges Residents to Report Threats, Suspicious Activity Following Temple Israel Attack

LANSING – Following yesterday’s attack on Temple Israel, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging residents to report threats, suspicious activity, and acts of bias-motivated violence to local law enforcement and the Department of Attorney General’s Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit. The Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit works closely with federal and local law enforcement partners to ensure suspected hate crimes are thoroughly investigated and the offenders are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Nearly 60% of domestic terrorists begin to exhibit concerning behavior more than a year in advance of their plot. Recognizing warning signs can help prevent mass attacks, including grievances, violent ideation, research and planning the attack, pre-attack preparation, and probing. More information is available on the Michigan State Police’s Stop a Plot webpage.

“Antisemitism is on the rise, and too many communities are living in fear,” said Attorney General Nessel. “The attack on Temple Israel will forever impact the more than 100 children inside that building and the entire congregation that gathers there. I am thankful for the private security who were on site, to our local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who work to stop hate crimes, and to my Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit for holding those who make terrorist threats accountable to the fullest extent of the law. However, we can only address the problems we know about. If you see something concerning, say something. Report it immediately to prevent tragedies and attacks like the one we saw at Temple Israel. Now is the time for us to band together and ensure that antisemitism and acts of hate do not plague our state.” 

In May 2023, Michigan passed multiple firearm safety laws to protect communities from terror attacks and gun violence, including Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), which allow civil courts to temporarily prevent people at risk of harming themselves or others from possessing or buying guns. Family members can petition for an ERPO to temporarily remove firearms from a loved one posing a danger. For more information on how to file an ERPO, visit the Department of Attorney General’s website.   

Attorney General Nessel has also supported Senate Bill 502, sponsored by state Senator Sue Shink, which would strengthen Michigan’s Anti-Terrorism Law. The legislation would amend the Michigan Anti-Terrorism Act to specify that a person who threatens to commit an act of terrorism and communicates the threat with reckless disregard of a substantial risk that the communication would be viewed as threatening violence would be guilty of a felony punishable by up to 20 years' imprisonment, a maximum fine of $20,000, or both.

“Anti-terrorism protections are critical to protecting Michiganders from threats and violence,” said Attorney General Nessel. “In the wake of the heinous attack on Temple Israel, I hope legislators act quickly to pass Senate Bill 502. We must have every tool available to prevent these acts and prosecute offenders.”

If you are a victim of a hate crime or have credible information about a hate crime, please contact your local police department first and then the Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit at the Department of Attorney General via email. The Department of Attorney General will ensure every credible tip reaches the appropriate investigative agency, will launch independent investigations when sufficient cause exists, and will offer departmental resources to assist law enforcement partners.

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