Washington: A 19-year-old man has been arrested in the United States over an alleged plan to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu place of worship in the Aurora area of Illinois, near Chicago. Police said investigators recovered a document expressing white supremacist and extremist views, including references to violence against people of Indian descent.
The suspect, identified as Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine, was taken into custody on October 11 following an investigation into an alleged shooting plot. Authorities said the case involved a document outlining a potential attack, along with images of a rifle, magazines, body armour and other tactical equipment.
Paporakis has been charged with one count each of making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of weapons. The investigation remains active, and authorities are examining whether additional charges may be warranted.
Police Investigate Alleged Attack Plan
According to the Palatine Police Department, investigators began looking into the suspect after another person reported that he was planning a mass shooting.
The person who alerted authorities reportedly shared information about a document outlining the alleged plan, as well as images depicting weapons and tactical equipment.
Police said detectives believed the suspect might have been preparing to carry out an attack on Sunday, October 11, potentially targeting a Hindu place of worship in the Aurora area.
Investigators also alleged that Paporakis had told colleagues at the Taco Bell restaurant where he worked that Sunday would be “a special day”.
According to the police account, the suspect contacted a co-worker earlier that Sunday and said his gun had jammed and that he had left quickly without being seen. These details formed part of the investigation into the alleged threat.
Palatine Police Chief William Nord described the alleged threat as extremely serious and said protecting places of worship was a law enforcement priority.
Search Leads to Recovery of Weapons and Equipment
Following the investigation, officers from the Palatine and Mount Prospect police departments coordinated efforts to locate the suspect.
Paporakis was taken into custody as he was leaving his residence on the evening of October 11, police said.
Detectives subsequently searched his home and recovered a rifle, multiple loaded rifle magazines, hundreds of additional rounds of rifle ammunition and tactical equipment. Authorities also seized other items they believe may be relevant to the investigation.
Among the recovered items was a tactical vest containing body armour and a patch displaying imagery associated with white supremacist extremism.
Investigators also examined electronic communications and a document attributed to the suspect titled Why I Fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora shooter’s manifesto).
Police said the document contained statements expressing white supremacist and extremist ideologies, including references to violence directed towards people of South Asian heritage, particularly those of Indian descent.
The recovered material is part of the evidence being examined by investigators as they work to establish the circumstances and extent of the alleged plot.
Charges Filed Against the Suspect
Paporakis appeared before a judge at the Cook County Third Municipal District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows on Wednesday. The judge ordered him detained, according to the report.
He faces one charge of making a terrorist threat and another involving unlawful possession of a weapon, described in the report as a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches.
His next court hearing is scheduled for October 30.
The Palatine Police Department said it was working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as the investigation continued. Authorities are reviewing the available evidence and considering whether further charges could be filed.
Police have also said there is no known ongoing threat to the public associated with the incident.
Hindu Places of Worship Alerted
The Aurora Police Department was notified of the potential threat by the Palatine and Mount Prospect police departments.
Authorities coordinated outreach to Hindu places of worship within their jurisdictions and informed them about the alleged plot.
The outreach was intended to ensure that religious institutions were aware of the reported threat while investigators continued their work.
The case has raised concern about the safety of religious institutions and communities targeted by extremist rhetoric. Investigators’ findings concerning the alleged references to violence against people of Indian descent have added to those concerns.
The investigation is continuing, and the allegations against the suspect remain subject to the legal process.
Hindu American Foundation Responds
The Hindu American Foundation welcomed the law enforcement response in a post on social media platform X.
“We commend law enforcement for swift action,” the organisation said, while urging members of the community to remain vigilant and report potential threats. It added that every community should be able to worship without fear.
In a separate post, the foundation claimed that the heavily armed suspect had already reached the Hindu temple and attempted to begin shooting, but that his gun jammed.
That account was presented by the foundation in its social media statement. Police statements cited in the report described the suspected plan and the alleged account involving a jammed gun, while identifying a Hindu place of worship in the Aurora area as a potential target.
The available information does not provide a full independent account of the alleged incident at the temple.
Investigation Continues
The arrest followed a coordinated response by local police departments and an investigation involving electronic communications, a manifesto attributed to the suspect and the recovery of weapons and tactical equipment.
Authorities are continuing to examine the evidence, with the FBI assisting local investigators. The suspect remains in custody following the court appearance, and his next hearing is scheduled for October 30.
The case has drawn attention to reported threats against Hindu places of worship in the United States. Police have said there is no known continuing threat to the public linked to this incident, while the investigation into the alleged attack plan remains ongoing.