Illinois: A 19-year-old man has been arrested in the US for allegedly attempting to carry out a mass shooting targeting people of Indian origin at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, after his rifle reportedly malfunctioned, allowing him to leave the premises without opening fire, according to court records and police.
Alexandros Paporakis, a resident of Palatine who worked as a cashier at Taco Bell, allegedly drove to the temple on Sunday, October 11, armed with a modified AR-style rifle, ammunition and tactical gear. Investigators believe he intended to kill a significant number of people at the place of worship, which was reportedly crowded with worshippers at the time.
According to newly filed court records, Paporakis allegedly attempted to fire his weapon but was unable to do so because the rifle jammed. He then returned to his home, where he allegedly searched online for instructions on fixing the firearm and contacted a co-worker about his intention to carry out a mass shooting.
The co-worker subsequently alerted authorities, leading to Paporakis’ arrest later that evening, before he could allegedly return to the temple.
The arrest comes amid the Hindu festive season, which began with Navaratri, and follows the vandalism of the Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham Hindu Mandir in Richmond Heights, Ohio, approximately two weeks earlier.
Weapons and alleged manifesto recovered
Investigators said Paporakis had access to a modified AR-style rifle and approximately 300 rounds of ammunition, along with body armour, gasoline cans and other tactical equipment. Authorities also recovered material bearing swastikas and imagery associated with white supremacist extremism.
A search of his residence uncovered a rifle, multiple loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and additional items relevant to the investigation, police said.
Detectives also examined a document allegedly written by Paporakis and titled “Why I Fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora shooter’s manifesto).” According to investigators, the document contained white supremacist and extremist statements, including expressions of hatred and violence directed at Indian people and other racial and religious groups.
The writings reportedly referred to violence against Jewish people, African Americans, Indians and other non-white communities. Investigators also said the suspect described himself as a white supremacist and Neo-Nazi and expressed fantasies about mass murder.
Authorities believe the alleged attack was intended to target a Hindu place of worship in Aurora. The investigation is continuing to establish the full circumstances of the incident and the suspect’s alleged movements before and after the attempted shooting.
Teenager ordered detained
Paporakis appeared before a judge at the Cook County Third Municipal District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows on Wednesday. The judge ordered him held without bond, according to the latest court information, and issued an order concerning his health care while in custody.
Court records indicate that Paporakis is receiving treatment for ADHD, depression and anxiety and receives hormone injections as part of gender transition-related care. These medical details do not establish a motive for the alleged crime.
The 19-year-old faces charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a weapon, involving a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches. Authorities are reviewing the evidence and have not ruled out additional charges.
His public defender told NBC Chicago that statements made by police and prosecutors represent allegations at this stage and could change as the investigation progresses.
Palatine Police Chief William Nord said the seriousness of the alleged threat could not be overstated, adding that protecting places of worship remains a priority for law enforcement.
The Palatine and Mount Prospect police departments coordinated their response, while the Aurora Police Department was alerted to the potential threat. Authorities also contacted Hindu places of worship in their jurisdictions to inform them of the investigation.
The Palatine Police Department is working with the FBI as the case remains active. Authorities have said they are not aware of any continuing threat to the public associated with the incident.
Hindu community praises police response
The chairman of the Hindu temple in Aurora praised local law enforcement for preventing the alleged attack, saying the institution already had a strong security presence.
The Hindu American Foundation also commended authorities for their swift response in a post on X, urging community members to remain vigilant and report potential threats.
“Every community deserves to worship without fear,” the organisation said.
In a separate post, the foundation alleged that Paporakis had reached the temple while armed and attempted to begin shooting before his firearm jammed. The allegation is consistent with the account described in the newly filed court records, though the full circumstances remain subject to the ongoing investigation.
The case has raised fresh concerns about the safety of religious institutions and the threat of racially motivated violence against Indian-origin communities in the US. Investigators are continuing to examine the alleged manifesto, recovered weapons and electronic communications to determine the extent of the planned attack.
