By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – Media reported on Friday that the police recovered an AR-style rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, tactical gear and an 8 page manifesto contained racist threats.
The accused remains in custody, with his next court appearance scheduled for October 30.
Alexandros Paporakis a19-year-old man accused of plotting a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in the US allegedly threatened to kill Indians, prepared a white supremacist manifesto, and visited the temple on the day of the planned attack before police arrested him after a tip-off from his co-workers.
The accused, identified as Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine, Illinois, was arrested on October 11 after colleagues reported disturbing messages outlining plans for mass violence. Investigators subsequently recovered a rifle, ammunition, tactical equipment, and material containing neo-Nazi imagery from his residence.
The alleged plot targeted a Hindu place of worship in Aurora, a Chicago suburb, where Indian-origin US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and his family were worshipping that Sunday.
No shooting or injuries have been confirmed, police added.
The prosecutors alleged the suspect attempted to open fire, but his rifle malfunctioned. Police have separately confirmed that a vehicle registered to Paporakis entered a Hindu temple’s parking lot on October 11.
According to prosecutors, Paporakis, who worked at a Taco Bell outlet, had openly expressed white supremacist views and told colleagues that he wanted to kill people of Indian origin.
His co-workers alerted authorities after receiving alarmed electronic communications, including an alleged attack plan and photographs of tactical equipment.
Investigators said the suspect had identified Sunday, October 11, as the day he intended to carry out the attack.
Police established that a red Acura RDX registered to Paporakis entered the parking lot of a Hindu temple in Aurora at approx 12.25 pm that day.
Palatine Police Chief William Nord said at a news conference that the vehicle remained for about 13 minutes before leaving at approximately 12.38 pm,
The suspect was arrested later that afternoon near his home in Palatine, about 40 miles from the temple.
During a search of Paporakis’ residence, investigators recovered an AR-style rifle without a serial number, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, body armour and tactical equipment.
Police also found a patch bearing Nazi-related imagery and a document titled Why I Fought: A.K.A. (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto).
According to prosecutors, the eight-page document contained racist statements targeting Indians, Jewish people and Black people, along with descriptions of planned mass violence.
Paporakis allegedly described himself as a white supremacist and neo-Nazi in the document.
He has been charged with making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a weapon.
A judge ordered him detained following a hearing on Wednesday, October 14. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 30.
The case drew wider attention after US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi confirmed that he and his family were at the Hindu temple when the alleged shooting attempt took place.
In a statement issued earlier Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois’ 8th congressional district, said the incident demonstrated the danger posed by anti-Indian hatred and white supremacist ideology.
“My family and I were there when the attack was attempted last Sunday,” he said.
Krishnamoorthi thanked the suspect’s co-workers for reporting the threat and urged authorities to take stronger action against hate-motivated violence.
His office said prosecutors alleged that the suspect’s rifle jammed when he attempted to open fire.
The accused discussed what had happened with colleagues, who alerted police after learning of his alleged plans to try again.
The allegations have prompted condemnation from several US lawmakers, who called for stronger measures to protect religious minorities and confront white supremacist extremism.
Indian-origin Congressman Ro Khanna, who represents California’s 17th congressional district, expressed outrage over the alleged attempt.
“As a Hindu American, I am angered by the attempted mass shooting at a Temple by a white supremacist. The shooter’s evil is only surpassed by his ignorance. Hinduism teaches non-violence,” Khanna wrote on X.
In a video accompanying his post, Khanna demanded that the suspect be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who represents Washington’s 7th congressional district, thanked law enforcement agencies for preventing further violence.
She also raised concerns about hostility directed towards South Asian communities.
“This hate, racism, and violence are absolutely unacceptable, are traumatising our communities, and must end,” Jayapal said.
Congressman Ami Bera said he was horrified to learn that Krishnamoorthi and his family had been present at the temple during the alleged attempt.
He called on Congress to strengthen measures against violence motivated by religious and racial prejudice.
Representatives Brad Schneider, Yassamin Ansari and Tom Suozzi also condemned the alleged plot, stressing that Americans must be able to practice their religion without fear.
Aurora Mayor John Laesch joined the condemnation on Thursday, said the alleged plot was unacceptable even though no one was injured.
“No one should ever feel threatened, unsafe, or attacked for freely practicing their faith or attending a place of worship,” Laesch said in a statement.
“While I am grateful that the attack did not occur, the plot itself is completely unacceptable. Let me be clear: hate has no place in our community,” he added.
Laesch praised law enforcement agencies and the individual whose warning helped authorities intervene.
He also expressed solidarity with the affected Hindu temple and called on residents to reject religious hatred and discrimination.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker separately condemned the alleged plot and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting religious communities.
“Hate has no home in Illinois,” Pritzker said, urging action against violence targeting Indian Americans.
The Indian government has also expressed concern over the incident, described its reported anti-Hindu and racist dimensions as particularly disturbing.
The Ministry of External Affairs urged US authorities to thoroughly investigate the alleged plot, ensure accountability and take steps to prevent similar threats against the Indian community.
Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called for decisive action to safeguard people of Indian origin and protect their right to practise their religion.
Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora has increased security, including the deployment of additional armed security personnel.
US investigators are continuing their inquiry into the alleged plot, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation assisting local authorities.
