Gunman threatens Jewish student gathering at University of Michigan

SOUTHFIELD, MI – A gunman threatened a gathering of Jewish people in Southfield, including University of Michigan students, in a home invasion Wednesday evening, police said.

Officers responded to a reported home invasion around 10:39 p.m. Oct. 2 in the 16000 block of Hilton Street, said Southfield Police Deputy Chief Aaron Huguley.

Officers arrived at the home of a rabbi who was hosting a Rosh Hashanah gathering with a group of University of Michigan students, police said, adding that after a search, officers determined that the suspected shooter was no longer at the scene be.

A preliminary investigation revealed the suspect entered the home through the back door armed with a handgun and said, “I'll take anything, give me anything,” police said.

The residents left the house through the front door, police said, adding that no one was injured.

Investigators identified the suspect and police are currently working to take him into custody, police said. A woman involved in the incident was arrested, police said.

While Huguley confirmed it was a Jewish gathering, he said the home invasion appeared to be “a crime of opportunity.” The investigation is ongoing.

Wednesday's home invasion follows several attacks on Jewish people on the University of Michigan campus. The first attack on September 15th was an attack by a group of men on a Jewish man, the other two were two attacks on the weekend of September 21st and 22nd in front of a house where members of a Jewish brotherhood.

Read more: University of Michigan students are attacked, police increase patrols near campus

University of Michigan President Santa Ono pledged in a statement to “do everything (the university) can do to protect and care for our students, faculty, staff and visitors.”

“The Department of Public Safety and Security has increased security and patrols around the campus and surrounding areas,” he said. “In the meantime, each of us can do our part to show each other the kindness and respect that so many of us need right now.”

Anyone with information about the Southfield home invasion can call the Southfield Police Department at 248-796-5500 with case number 24-36003. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-SPEAK-UP (77325-87).

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