A 19-year-old man from Palatine, Illinois, US has been arrested over an alleged mass shooting plot that may have targeted a Hindu temple in Aurora, with investigators examining a manifesto containing white supremacist views and hostility towards Indians.
Police identified the suspect as Alexandros Paporakis. He was arrested on October 11 after authorities received information about concerning electronic communications allegedly linked to him. Investigators recovered a rifle, ammunition and tactical equipment during a search of his home, according to CBS News.
The case came to light after Mount Prospect police passed information to Palatine police about the alleged threats. Paporakis has been charged with making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a weapon, and a judge has ordered him to remain in custody while awaiting trial.
What happened in the alleged 'mass shooting' plot
According to CBS Chicago, Mount Prospect police contacted Palatine police on October 11 after receiving information about concerning electronic communications involving Paporakis. Officers from both departments subsequently arrested him outside his home in Palatine.
Investigators believe the suspect may have been planning a mass shooting on October 11, possibly targeting a Hindu place of worship in the Aurora area. However, police have said the specific intended location has not been confirmed, and the investigation remains open.
The Palatine Police Department also contacted Hindu places of worship within its jurisdiction to alert them to the threat. Aurora police were notified and coordinated outreach to religious institutions in the area.
According to ANI, as reported by The Times of India, investigators believed the alleged plan could have involved a Hindu temple in Aurora. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the precise target.
What did prosecutors say about his alleged plans
During court proceedings, prosecutors cited accounts from Paporakis' coworkers about statements he allegedly made before his arrest.
According to CBS Chicago, one coworker told police that Paporakis had openly described himself as a white supremacist at his workplace, a Taco Bell restaurant. The coworker also reportedly said he had made disparaging remarks about people from other racial groups, discussed Nazis and spoken about an armed struggle.
Prosecutors said Paporakis told a coworker on Saturday, October 10, that he was planning “it” at Aurora's largest Hindu temple. He allegedly told another coworker on Sunday that it was going to be a special day.
These accounts formed part of the evidence presented during the detention proceedings. Police have maintained that the precise location allegedly intended as the target has not been confirmed.
What did investigators find in his manifesto
FBI investigators assisted local police in examining Paporakis' electronic communications and documents attributed to him. One document, titled “Why I Fought: A K A: (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto)”, allegedly contained white supremacist and extremist views.
According to ANI's report quoted by TOI, investigators found references to violence against people of South Asian heritage, particularly those of Indian descent.
CBS Chicago reported that the document was an eight-page manifesto in which Paporakis allegedly identified himself as a white supremacist and expressed hatred towards non-white people, including Indians, Jewish people and African Americans.
Palatine Police Chief William Nord said investigators found extremist ideology and references to mass killings in the document. He also said the suspect had discussed violence and how he wanted to carry out the alleged shooting.
The contents of the document form part of the investigation into the alleged threat. The charges against Paporakis have not been adjudicated in court.
Rifle, ammunition and tactical gear recovered
Police said a search of Paporakis' home uncovered a rifle, multiple loaded rifle magazines, hundreds of additional rounds of rifle ammunition and tactical equipment.
Officers also reportedly found a tactical vest containing body armour and a patch bearing imagery associated with white supremacist extremism.
CBS Chicago reported that prosecutors described further electronic evidence shared between Paporakis and a coworker. According to their account, Paporakis sent messages through Signal showing an AR-style rifle, a photograph of himself wearing a tactical vest and a copy of his manifesto.
Prosecutors also said Paporakis told the coworker his gun had jammed and he had left the location quickly. The alleged exchange became part of the information reported to police.
The coworker and another colleague subsequently called 911 to report the incident, prosecutors said. Police have not confirmed the precise intended target of the alleged attack.
What charges does he face
Paporakis faces one count of making a terrorist threat and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon, according to CBS Chicago.
The weapons charge relates to possession of a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches. Both charges are felonies.
He appeared for a detention hearing on Wednesday, October 14, when a judge ordered him to remain in custody while awaiting trial.
Court documents cited by CBS Chicago also referred to mental and emotional health issues and said Paporakis had been without prescribed medication. These details were reported from court records and do not establish guilt or determine the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
How police responded to the threat
Palatine Police Chief William Nord said the alleged threat was serious and credited information-sharing between Palatine and Mount Prospect police with helping officers identify and arrest the suspect.
He also acknowledged assistance from the FBI and thanked the person who initially reported the information.
The investigation continues, with authorities examining electronic evidence and working to establish the specific location allegedly intended as the target. Police have alerted Hindu places of worship in the area as they follow up on the reported threat.
Paporakis remains in custody, and the allegations against him will be addressed through the criminal justice process.
(Inputs from TOI)