Michigan
Michigan synagogue car-ramming suspect bought $2,000 worth of fireworks before attack
Two days before federal authorities say Ayman Mohamad Ghazali carried out Thursday’s antisemitic terror attack at a synagogue outside Detroit, the driver in the car-ramming violence allegedly walked out of a fireworks store with more than $2,000 worth of explosives.
Speaking exclusively with NBC News, Phantom Fireworks said that a person who registered as Ayman Ghazali visited one of the company’s Detroit-area stores at 1:39 p.m. March 10 and spent about 45 minutes inside.
Days later, Ghazali allegedly rammed a pickup into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, setting off a fire at the synagogue where a preschool attended by more than 100 children was in session, officials said. None of the children or staff members were injured.
Ghazali, a Dearborn Heights resident, was killed by the synagogue’s security team following the attack.
The FBI on Friday said that Ghazali was “forensically confirmed” as the assailant. Prior, officials said they believed he was the synagogue attacker, but were awaiting forensics as the driver’s body was badly burned.
Ghazali had no previous criminal history, no registered weapons, and he had never been the subject of a FBI investigation, Jennifer Runyan, the Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit field office, said in a news briefing Friday.
She did not speak on a motive for the attack, but the FBI has previously said it is investigating the incident as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.”
Officials did not mention what caused the fire, but in the vehicle, investigators found multiple gas canisters and consumer mortar tubes that would be used to launch fireworks, according to two senior officials briefed on the investigation.
The fireworks purchase was one of several facts about Ghazali’s background leading up to the attack that came into focus Friday.
Ghazali, a U.S. citizen originally from Lebanon, lost several family members in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon last week, according to local officials in Michigan. The strike killed two of his brothers, who were known to be members of Hezbollah, and his niece and nephew, an official told NBC News.
Investigators are looking into Ghazali’s possible ties to suspected members of Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to a source familiar with the matter. He had been questioned several times about these possible contacts upon his return to the U.S. from overseas, the source said.
In recent weeks, hundreds of people in Lebanon have been killed and more than 750,000 people displaced amid escalating Israeli attacks, which were launched after Hezbollah struck Israel in retaliation for the war on Iran.
In Michigan, Alan Zoldan, Phantom Fireworks’ executive vice president, said the store employee who rang up Ghazali’s order recalled that “he certainly had no appearance of nervousness.”
“He was going to be celebrating Eid, you know, the end of the Ramadan,” Zoldan said. Eid al-Fitr, a holiday celebrated by Muslims to mark the end of the fast, is next week.
Phantom Fireworks said it requires all customers to register their identification before making a purchase. After the synagogue attack, the company found Ghazali’s name and address in its records, which it said federal investigators requested by subpoena.
Video Phantom Fireworks shared with NBC News shows the man who identified himself as Ghazali, 41, walking into the store and registering his identification at the front desk before he starts shopping. About 15 minutes later, he walks up to the register with a mostly full cart, fills out paperwork and begins checking out. Once all the items are scanned and on the counter, he turns the cart around and continues shopping for roughly 5 more minutes.
About 20 minutes later, footage shows the man pushing the cart out of the store to a waiting pickup. He loads the truck bed, hands the cart off to the store employee and drives off.
Ghazali bought roughly 20 types of items from Phantom Fireworks, including a “finale rack” product that the company says should be lit with people at least 100 yards away.
It’s not clear if fireworks purchased from this store were used in the synagogue attack.
The company also said that a $2,000 purchase is not inherently noteworthy.
“For our, you know, biggest customers that are going big at home — which we have so many of — spending $2,000, $5,000, $10,000 happens repeatedly … $5,000 and $10,000 is actually pretty common,” said Phantom Fireworks vice president Jessi Dragoiu.
Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun condemned the attack Friday, saying: “We do know that the individual had recently suffered devastating and personal losses overseas due to an Israeli air strike on his family’s home in Lebanon, leaving two children dead. Grief is real, and it’s heartbreaking, but let me be clear, that is not an excuse.”
Dearborn Heights police chief Michael Guzowski said any relevant records and background information were shared with investigators. He said there’s no credible information indicating an ongoing threat to residents and the city has increased monitoring as a precaution.
In a news briefing on Friday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called the attack an act of antisemitism.
“It was hate, plain and simple,” Whitmer said at the briefing. “We will fight this ancient and rampant evil. We will stand together as we do it, and we will call it out. We must lower the rhetoric in this state and in this country, especially at this moment where we have seen such a rise in anti-Semitism and more attacks on the Jewish community.”
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office referred NBC News to the FBI. The FBI declined to comment on this story.
Michigan
Elliot Cadeau agrees to deal to return to Michigan basketball
If there was any doubt that Elliot Cadeau wasn’t going to return to Michigan for another season, it was officially put to rest.
Shortly after ESPN reported Thursday that Cadeau has agreed to a new deal for the 2026-27 season, the point guard shared the news on Instagram with a short message: “(Let’s) do it again.”
Several Michigan basketball assistant coaches also reacted on social media, including Akeem Miskdeen, who wrote: “PG1 back! Lets gooooooo.”
The news comes just days after Cadeau helped lead Michigan to its first national championship since 1989 and was named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
Cadeau averaged 10.5 points and 5.9 assists in 27.3 minutes during his first season with the Wolverines after spending the first two seasons of his college career at North Carolina. A pass-first facilitator who controlled Michigan’s offense, he scored in double figures in 21 games, dished out 10 or more assists six times and shot a career-best 37.6% from 3-point range.
After backup point guard L.J. Cason suffered a torn ACL late in the season, Cadeau took on more minutes and was at his best in the NCAA Tournament. During Michigan’s run to the national title, he averaged 12.3 points, 7.5 assists and 1.7 steals in 32.3 minutes per game and tied his season high with 19 points in the 69-63 championship game win over UConn.
“(Coach) Dusty May will bring the best out of you and that’s exactly what he did with Elliot,” guard Nimari Burnett said. “He trusted and believed in him. I remember before Elliot decided to come to Michigan … (May) was like, ‘We recruited a wizard in the portal.’ You could tell his excitement about somebody just being as unselfish as Elliot is and you know he was going to make him a better player.”
With Cadeau running it back for his senior year and fellow guard Trey McKenney also expected to return, Michigan’s starting backcourt appears set heading into next season.
jhawkins@detroitnews.com
@jamesbhawkins
Michigan
Counterfeit cash investigation near Traverse City expands to 14 other states
A counterfeit money investigation that started near Traverse City, Michigan, is believed to have connections to similar activity in 14 other states, Michigan State Police said.
The five-month investigation into the use and manufacturing of counterfeit currency has resulted in one arrest so far, with a 56-year-old Grand Rapids man now in custody in the Benzie County Jail.
An MSP trooper was sent to a Dollar General store on Reynolds Road in Benzie County during October 2025 to investigate counterfeit $10 bills that had been passed, police said. During that investigation, the trooper learned of two other incidents under nearly identical circumstances in Grand Traverse County.
During the next five months, troopers worked with several local, state, federal, and out-of-state law enforcement agencies on the case. The investigation included serving multiple search warrants, and a suspect was identified.
The Benzie County Prosecutor’s Office then authorized a warrant for five felony counts of uttering and publishing counterfeit bills or notes.
Troopers said the MSP Sixth District Fugitive Team found the Grand Rapids man on March 27 at a hotel near the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. He was accompanied by two individuals from Malaysia who had recently traveled to the U.S.
In the meantime, troopers served a search warrant at the hotel room where they found additional counterfeit currency, a fraudulent check, multiple electronic devices and a printer “along with materials consistent with the production of counterfeit bills,” police said.
The Grand Rapids man was initially lodged at the Kent County Jail and then transported to the Benzie County Jail. He is “alleged to have been involved in interstate criminal activity, including the local manufacture of approximately $30,000 in counterfeit currency,” troopers said, adding that the Michigan man is also believed to have committed similar offenses in 14 additional states.
He was arraigned on Monday in Benzie County District Court on the five counterfeiting charges, authorities said. Bond was set at $25,000, and his next court date is April 20.
Law enforcement agencies in Iowa and North Dakota have also issued felony warrants for the man, police said, “with further charges anticipated.”
Michigan
Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for April 8, 2026
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Daily 3 numbers from April 8 drawing
Midday: 0-6-5
Evening: 6-6-4
Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 4 numbers from April 8 drawing
Midday: 9-8-4-7
Evening: 4-5-0-3
Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Poker Lotto numbers from April 8 drawing
JS-KS-AS-5D-4H
Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 8 drawing
05-12-13-33-37
02-26-27-35-36
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily Keno numbers from April 8 drawing
06-08-15-24-29-36-37-38-39-41-45-50-51-56-57-58-59-69-73-75-77-80
Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Classic Lotto 47 numbers from April 8 drawing
06-18-20-23-27-29
Check Classic Lotto 47 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto Double Play numbers from April 8 drawing
11-21-25-26-29-37
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lottery’s Regional Offices.
To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to:
Michigan Lottery
Attn: Claim Center
101 E. Hillsdale
P.O. Box 30023
Lansing, MI 48909
For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a driver’s license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2.
If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows:
- Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325
- Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325
- Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325
- Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325
- Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325
- Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325
For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery’s prize claim page.
When are Michigan Lottery drawings held?
- Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m.
- Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily
- Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily
- Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily
- Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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