US teen arrested over alleged mass shooting plot targeting Hindu temple in Illinois

A 19-year-old man has been arrested in Illinois, US, over an alleged plan to carry out a mass shooting that could have targeted a Hindu place of worship in the Aurora area near Chicago. Investigators identified the suspect as Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine, who allegedly possessed a manifesto expressing white supremacist ideologies and referring to violence against people of Indian descent.

According to police, the alleged attack was being planned for October 11. Investigators are still trying to establish the exact location the suspect intended to target.

Paporakis appeared at the Cook County Third Municipal District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows on Wednesday. A judge ordered him detained, and his next hearing is scheduled for October 30.

How investigators uncovered the alleged plot

The investigation began after a person alerted authorities to Paporakis' alleged plans for a mass shooting. Police said he had shared a document outlining the purported attack, along with images of a rifle, magazines, body armour and other tactical equipment.

"Based on information developed during the investigation, detectives believe Paporakis may have been planning to carry out an attack on Sunday, October 11, potentially targeting a Hindu place of worship in the Aurora area," police said.

Investigators also learnt that Paporakis had allegedly told his Taco Bell co-workers that Sunday was going to be “a special day.” On the day of the suspected attack, he reportedly called one colleague, saying his gun had jammed and that he had left “super fast” without being seen.

Police subsequently arrested him as he was leaving his residence on the evening of October 11.

Rifle, ammunition and extremist manifesto recovered

During a search of Paporakis' residence, detectives recovered a rifle, multiple loaded rifle magazines, hundreds of rounds of additional ammunition and tactical equipment.

Officers also found a vest containing body armour and a patch displaying imagery associated with white supremacist extremism.

Police examined a self-titled document attributed to the suspect, "Why I Fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora shooter's manifesto)." According to investigators, it contained statements expressing white supremacist and extremist ideologies, including references to violence against people of South Asian heritage, particularly those of Indian descent.

Paporakis faces one count each of making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of weapons, involving a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches. Police are working with the FBI, and the investigation remains active.

Hindu temples step up security after threat

The Palatine and Mount Prospect police departments coordinated outreach to Hindu places of worship, alerting them to the alleged threat. Authorities said they had not identified any known ongoing threat to the public linked to the incident.

Palatine Police Chief William Nord said, "The seriousness of this alleged threat cannot be overstated," adding that protecting places of worship was a law enforcement priority.

The Hindu American Foundation welcomed the police response, stating on X, "We commend law enforcement for swift action."

The Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple management said it was in direct contact with the Aurora Police Department and had introduced additional security measures.

"Please know that the safety of our devotees, employees and volunteers is our highest priority, and we have implemented additional security measures effective immediately, including an increased armed security presence at the Temple from 9am to 9pm, and we are taking additional steps to ensure an ongoing safe environment for everyone at the Temple," the temple authorities said.

Investigators believe the suspect may have intended to target the largest Hindu temple in southwest suburban Aurora, though the exact intended location remains under investigation.