A 19-year-old man has been arrested in the US for allegedly planning a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois. Prosecutors said the attack was thwarted after his rifle jammed and a co-worker alerted police.
Alexandros Paporakis, from Palatine, was arrested on October 11 and ordered held without bail. Court records state that the Taco Bell cashier had expressed white supremacist views, made racist remarks about Indians and frequently discussed Nazis and gun violence.
On October 10, he allegedly told a co-worker he wanted to kill Indians and planned to attack what he described as Aurora’s largest Hindu temple, using a large quantity of ammunition.
Investigators allege Paporakis drove to the temple area with an AR-style rifle, around 300 rounds of ammunition and tactical gear, but fled after the weapon jammed. He later searched online for repair instructions and discussed trying again with a co-worker, prompting two colleagues to alert police. A search of his home uncovered weapons, body armour and Nazi-related items, while investigators reportedly found a document containing neo-Nazi views, racist references to Indians and plans for a mass shooting at the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora. Even US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi and his family were inside the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora, Illinois when a mass shooting plot was attempted.
Paporakis appeared in court, charged with making a terror threat and unlawful weapons possession. South Asians for America (SAFA) condemned the alleged plot, called for hate crime and domestic terrorism charges, and urged greater security funding for religious institutions. Its leaders also encouraged South Asians to report threats and raise concerns about hate violence and gun safety.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the Illinois incident a “matter of deep concern”, highlighting growing hate crimes and racial discrimination against Indians in the US. He acknowledged the action taken by US law enforcement and urged Washington to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian nationals.