Who is Alexandros Paporakis? MEA reacts as US authorities foil alleged plot to attack Hindu temple in Illinois

A 19-year-old Illinois man has been charged with planning a mass shooting at a Hindu shrine in Aurora, Illinois. Prosecutors say Alexandros Paporakis spent months planning the attack, researching the intended location online and drafting an eight-page manifesto that called for violence against multiple racial and religious groups.

The alleged attack was prevented after two of his co-workers alerted the police, leading to his arrest before anyone was injured.

Paporakis, a Palatine resident, was arrested on Oct. 11. He faces charges of making a terroristic threat, a Class X felony, and unlawful possession of a rifle with a barrel less than 16 inches, a Class 3 felony.

He did not press charges and the charges against him remain unproven in court. A judge ordered him held for trial on October 14. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 30.

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Investigators said Paporakis worked as a cashier at a Taco Bell location in Arlington Heights. According to prosecutors, his co-workers said he often made racist remarks, described himself as a white racist and openly discussed Nazi ideology and gun violence.

What did the alleged manifesto reveal?

According to prosecutors, Paporakis allegedly sent an eight-page document titled “Why I Fought: AKA (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto)” to an associate shortly before his arrest.

Court documents alleged that the manifesto contained racist slurs and hateful statements directed at people of Indian descent, Jews and blacks. Prosecutors said the document described the groups as “subhuman” and discussed a plan to kill as many people as possible.

The allegations detailed in the charging documents were not proven in court.

The document allegedly described how Paporakis acquired and modified an AR-style rifle. He also outlined how he used YouTube and Google Street View to study the intended target.

Prosecutors alleged that Paporakis wrote that he had planned the mass attack for two years and had targeted a specific location in the previous two months.

The manifesto is said to have encouraged others to carry out similar attacks. Prosecutors said Paporakis described what he would look like as an ordinary white college student while secretly embracing neo-Nazi ideology and fantasizing about committing mass murder.

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How was the plot to attack the alleged Hindu temple foiled?

According to prosecutors, Paporakis allegedly told an associate on Oct. 10 that he “couldn’t wait to kill the Indians” and planned to use a large amount of ammunition in the attack.

The next day, he allegedly called the same co-worker and claimed his firearm had jammed. Prosecutors said he told a co-worker he quickly left the scene after the malfunction.

The associate also received a video that allegedly showed the AR-style rifle not firing, along with a photo of Paporakis wearing a tactical vest.

According to prosecutors, Paporakis discussed repairing the firearm so he could “repeat” the attack. He also reportedly noted that the intended victim “was certainly saved today by his God.”

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Alarmed by the news, two co-workers contacted emergency services. Police subsequently found and arrested Paporakis in a parking lot near his apartment later that afternoon.

The Palatine Police Department said the investigation is continuing with the assistance of the Chicago FBI.

What did India say about the alleged attack?

India has expressed concern over reports of an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting targeting a Hindu temple in the Aurora, Illinois area, highlighting the reported anti-Hindu and racist nature of the allegations.

Responding to media inquiries about the incident, official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said:

“We are deeply troubled by reports of an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting targeting a Hindu temple in the Aurora, Illinois area. The reported anti-Hindu and racist nature of the alleged plot, including references to violence against people of Indian origin, is particularly troubling.”

“We have noted the actions taken by US law enforcement, including the arrest and detention of the suspect and the charges against him.

“This incident adds to growing concerns about racist hostility and hatred against India in the US. There is a need for increased vigilance, zero tolerance for hate-motivated violence, and decisive action to ensure the safety and security of the Indian community.”

“We expect the US authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter, bring those responsible to justice and take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents.”