New York, October 15: A 19-year-old man has been arrested in the United States for allegedly plotting a mass shooting at a Hindu place of worship in Aurora, Illinois. Investigators reportedly recovered a manifesto containing white supremacist and extremist views, including references to violence against people of South Asian and Indian origin.
The accused, identified as Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine village, was arrested on October 11. He faces charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to police.
Investigators suspect that Paporakis intended to carry out the attack on October 11. Authorities said the specific temple he allegedly targeted has not been officially identified and remains under investigation.
According to police, the investigation began after the Mount Prospect Police Department received information about a possible mass shooting and alerted authorities in Palatine. The information reportedly came from an individual who had received concerning electronic communications from the accused.
During their investigation, detectives examined electronic communications and a document allegedly attributed to Paporakis titled “Why I Fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto).” Police said the document contained expressions of white supremacist and extremist ideology, including references to violence against people of Indian descent.
According to media reports citing investigators, Paporakis allegedly travelled from his home in Palatine to a Hindu temple in Aurora carrying a modified AR-style rifle, ammunition and other equipment. He reportedly attempted to fire the weapon, but it malfunctioned, prompting him to return home.
Investigators further alleged that he searched online for information on how to fix the firearm and contacted a colleague, disclosing his intention to carry out a mass shooting. The colleague reportedly alerted the police, leading to the accused’s arrest before he could allegedly return to the temple.
Police said the arrest followed a coordinated response by the Palatine and Mount Prospect police departments. The investigation is continuing, with authorities working alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to examine the possibility of additional charges.
Paporakis appeared before a judge at the Cook County Third Municipal District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows on Wednesday, where he was ordered to remain in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 30.
The incident has raised concerns among Hindu-American organisations, particularly as Hindu communities gather to celebrate Navratri and other religious festivals. It also comes around two weeks after the Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham Hindu Mandir in Richmond Heights, Ohio, was vandalised.
The Consulate General of India in Chicago said it appreciated the timely response of law enforcement agencies and was in contact with members of the Indian diaspora while monitoring developments.
The Hindu American Foundation praised the authorities for their swift action and urged community members to remain vigilant and report potential threats.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) also condemned the alleged plot, stating that Hindu temples and other places of worship should remain safe spaces for prayer and community gatherings. The organisation called for stronger security measures and greater attention to threats against Hindu religious institutions.
Palatine Police Chief William Nord stressed the seriousness of the alleged threat, saying the protection of communities and places of worship remained a priority.
FBI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Ryan Whalen said the agency works closely with local and state law enforcement partners to identify and investigate threats of violence linked to extremist ideologies.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and have not identified any known continuing threat to the public connected with the incident.
