Authorities in suburban Chicago arrested a 19-year-old man last weekend in connection with a planned mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois. Alexandros Paporakis is facing felony charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a rifle, officials said during a joint news conference held by Palatine police and FBI investigators.
The targeted location was identified as the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora, approximately 40 miles west of Chicago. Temple leaders confirmed that a security threat had been made against the site and announced enhanced security measures, including an increased armed presence, to protect worshippers and staff.
Police reported that on Sunday, Paporakis’s red Acura was parked in the temple’s lot for about 15 minutes around midday before leaving. Later that afternoon, he was seen near his home in Palatine, roughly 40 miles northeast of the temple, where he was taken into custody. During a search of his residence, officers found an AR-style rifle without a serial number, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, tactical gear, and a gas canister labeled with an anti-Indian slur. Authorities also recovered items displaying Nazi symbols, including swastikas.
Court documents and prosecutors detailed that Paporakis, who worked as a Taco Bell cashier, had expressed white supremacist views and made repeated disparaging comments about people from India and other non-white groups. He reportedly sent an eight-page manifesto containing racial slurs and describing a plan to kill as many non-white individuals as possible. Following his text and verbal threats to a colleague, the co-worker alerted authorities. On the day of the planned attack, Paporakis informed the colleague that his gun had jammed at the temple and said he intended to “retry.” He also sent a video demonstrating the rifle’s malfunction and a photo of himself wearing tactical gear.
Representing the area’s 8th congressional district, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said he and his family were at the temple during the incident, celebrating the Hindu holiday of Navaratri. He expressed shock that an attack appeared to have been narrowly prevented due to the weapon malfunction, while highlighting concerns over growing anti-South Asian hate in the United States.
Paporakis’s mother was questioned but did not cooperate with investigators. A judge ordered Paporakis to remain in custody during a court appearance, with his next hearing scheduled for October 30. Temple officials declined further comment, emphasizing their ongoing cooperation with law enforcement amid the heightened security measures.
The arrest follows a broader context of increasing verbal and physical attacks against South Asian communities across the country, including recent incidents of vandalism at Hindu temples and controversies over federal communications perceived as insensitive or discriminatory. Authorities continue to monitor potential threats and encourage vigilance among local communities.