Ex-wife called 911 to report Michigan synagogue attacker was "not stable"

CBS News
March 16, 2026
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3 min read

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The ex-wife of a Michigan synagogue attacker called 911 beforehand to warn he was unstable.

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The ex-wife of the suspect in last week's attack at Temple Israel in Michigan called 911 before the incident to warn authorities that the suspect was "not stable," according to a recording obtained by CBS News Detroit. The call suggests someone close to the attacker recognized warning signs and attempted to alert law enforcement ahead of the synagogue attack. This revelation raises questions about whether authorities had advance notice of the suspect's mental state and potential threat level before the attack occurred. The 911 call adds a new dimension to the investigation, as it indicates the suspect's instability was concerning enough for his ex-wife to contact emergency services. The timing and content of the warning call will likely become a key focus as investigators examine what preventive measures, if any, could have been taken.

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Investigators are examining the warning call to determine what preventive measures could have been taken.

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