- A coworker’s tip led to the Oct. 11 arrest.
- Police found a rifle, ammunition, body armor and a manifesto.
- AAHOA condemned the plot, anti-Indian violence.
AN ILLINOIS MAN faces felony charges over an alleged mass-shooting plot targeting a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois. Police said they recovered a rifle, ammunition, body armor and an extremist manifesto during the investigation.
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, his family and other community members were at the temple when the incident occurred. Photo credit: Getty Images
AAHOA condemned the reported plot and the hatred directed at the Indian American and Hindu communities. The association expressed relief that U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, his family and other community members, who were at the temple at the time, were safe.
Alexandros Paporakis, 19, of Palatine, Illinois, was arrested on Oct. 11 after police received a tip about concerning electronic communications. According to police, the information came from a person who had received messages from Paporakis. That tip led to a coordinated response by the Palatine and Mount Prospect police departments, who arrested him outside his home later that day. Police said their investigation so far indicates he acted alone.
Prosecutors allege that Paporakis told a coworker he could not wait to kill Indian people and discussed targeting the largest Hindu temple in Aurora, according to The Patch. Investigators said a vehicle registered to him entered the parking lot of a large Hindu temple in Aurora at about 12:25 p.m. on Oct. 11 and left about 13 minutes later.
Cook County prosecutors allege that Paporakis later told a coworker he had gone to the temple and tried to shoot from his car, but his rifle jammed. Police said they have not been able to confirm that the weapon malfunctioned. Prosecutors also allege he had been planning the attack for up to two years and had studied the temple’s location using YouTube and Google Street View.
A search of Paporakis’ home uncovered an AR-style rifle, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, tactical equipment and body armor, according to police. Investigators also examined an eight-page document titled “Why I Fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto).”
Prosecutors said the document described people of Indian ancestry, Jewish people and Black people as “subhumans” and set out a plan to kill as many of them as possible.
Paporakis faces one count of making a terrorist threat and one count of unlawfully possessing a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches. A judge ordered him detained before trial, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 30. His public defender has cautioned that the accounts of police and prosecutors remain allegations. The FBI’s Chicago Field Office is assisting local authorities. Federal charges have not been filed, but the FBI has said they remain possible.
Temple strengthens security after threat
Aurora police have increased patrols around places of worship.Photo credit: ABC News
The Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple said a security threat had targeted the temple and that it had increased its security presence. Aurora police have also stepped up patrols at houses of worship.
Krishnamoorthi told local news Fox32 that he and his family were worshiping at the Balaji Temple, which they have attended for about 40 years, when the attack was allegedly attempted. He told another station he did not learn of the alleged plot until Oct. 14. Krishnamoorthi said he would ask the FBI to investigate and prosecute the case as a hate crime.
“The threat of such violence shows how dangerous anti-Indian hatred and white supremacy have become, and we cannot wait until innocent people are killed to take these threats seriously,” he said in a statement. “I am grateful to the suspect’s coworkers who alerted police and commend the law enforcement officers who intervened. Every American deserves to live and worship without fear, and we must stand together against hatred in all its forms.”
On Oct. 16, more than a dozen local leaders held a “stand against hate” rally and called for federal charges.
AAHOA stands with Hindu community
Like Krishnamoorthi, AAHOA said in its own statement it condemns all racially motivated violence.
“Every American deserves to live and worship without fear, and we must stand together against hatred in all its forms,” the association said.
The association, which represents thousands of Indian American hotel owners and their families across the U.S., said it stands with the Hindu community in Aurora. It reaffirmed its commitment to religious freedom, safety and respect for all.
In September, AAHOA leaders met with lawmakers and congressional staff during the association’s Sept. 15 to 16 National Leadership & Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. They advocated for higher Small Business Administration loan limits, mandatory sanctions for frivolous lawsuits, a joint-employer standard for franchisees, and greater competition in credit card network routing.
