Authorities say a 19-year-old Palatine man drove to an Aurora, Illinois, Hindu temple while armed and wearing body armor, then was arrested after coworkers alerted police to an alleged mass-shooting plan. Alexandros Paporakis faces felony charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawfully possessing a rifle.
Palatine Police Chief William Nord said investigators traced a red Acura RDX registered to Paporakis to the parking lot of the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple on Oct. 11. The vehicle arrived at about 12:25 p.m. and left roughly 13 minutes later, according to The Associated Press. Police arrested Paporakis later that day near his Palatine home.
Prosecutors allege Paporakis had shared threatening electronic messages, photographs of tactical equipment and an eight-page document describing a planned attack with Taco Bell coworkers. One coworker contacted Mount Prospect police after Paporakis allegedly spoke about killing Indian people and indicated that Oct. 11 would be a significant day. Police said the coworker’s report helped trigger the investigation and arrest.
Investigators searching Paporakis’ home found an AR-style rifle without a serial number, ammunition, loaded magazines, a gas canister bearing an anti-South Asian slur and items displaying Nazi symbolism, according to police and prosecutors. The alleged manifesto expressed white-supremacist and antisemitic views and described Indian, Jewish and Black people in dehumanizing terms. Authorities have said they believe Paporakis acted alone while continuing to review electronic evidence.
The temple confirmed that it had been targeted in a statement reported by NBC News. “The safety and well-being of our community remain our highest priority,” temple leaders said, announcing increased armed security from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and additional measures. The temple also said it was communicating directly with the Aurora Police Department.
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said he and his family were worshipping at the temple when the alleged attack occurred. In a statement reported by ABC 7 Chicago, Krishnamoorthi said he was “horrified” by the alleged targeting of Indian Americans and thanked the coworkers and law enforcement officers who intervened.
A Cook County judge ordered Paporakis detained after a hearing Oct. 14. He is scheduled to appear again at 9 a.m. Oct. 30 at the Cook County Third Municipal District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows, according to WBBM Newsradio. The charges are allegations, and the case remains pending.