Authorities say a 19-year-old transgender Palatine resident who allegedly identified as a neo-Nazi planned a mass shooting at a Hindu temple near Chicago. Police said the suspected attack was stopped after a coworker reported a troubling message.
Alexandros Paporakis was arrested Sunday in connection with the alleged plot targeting a Hindu temple in Aurora, a Chicago suburb, Palatine Police said during a news conference Thursday.
Paporakis has been charged with one felony count of making a terrorist threat and one felony count of unlawful possession of a weapon.
A Cook County judge ordered Paporakis held without bond and approved a jail healthcare plan. According to NBC Chicago, the teenager receives hormone injections as part of gender-affirming care and is being treated for ADHD, depression and anxiety.
Alexandros Paporakis, of Palatine, was arrested Sunday after authorities said he planned to attack a Hindu temple in Aurora. (Palatine Police Department)
Prosecutors allege that Paporakis traveled to the Aurora temple carrying a modified rifle, roughly 300 rounds of ammunition, body armor and additional tactical equipment. Police said he intended to launch a shooting but abandoned the attempt when the weapon malfunctioned.
After returning home, Paporakis allegedly searched online for instructions on clearing the rifle. Police also said he contacted a coworker and disclosed plans to carry out a mass shooting.
The coworker and other Taco Bell employees contacted Mount Prospect Police after receiving what they considered a suspicious message from Paporakis. That report prompted investigators to secure a search warrant and take him into custody before he could allegedly go back to the temple.
Law enforcement officials credited the tipster with helping prevent possible violence and urged members of the public to report threats or other warning signs to authorities.
Officials thanked the person who came forward and encouraged anyone who notices suspicious behavior to alert law enforcement. (Google Maps)
“I want to praise and offer my personal, sincerest thanks to the individual who stepped forward,” FBI Chicago Field Office acting special agent in charge Lucas Rothaar said Thursday. He described public tips as a crucial factor in disrupting potential acts of violence and terrorism.
Following the tip, police traced a red Acura registered to Paporakis. Surveillance footage allegedly showed the vehicle entering the temple’s parking lot at about 12:25 p.m. and leaving several minutes later.
Investigators later saw Paporakis drive to a Rand Road residence in Palatine that he shared with his mother. During a search of the home, police said they recovered a rifle, a loaded magazine, hundreds of rounds of rifle ammunition and other tactical equipment.
Authorities also found an eight-page document they described as a manifesto. Police said it outlined the alleged attack and contained white supremacist beliefs attributed to Paporakis.
According to police, the document promoted hatred, violence and the idea of racial superiority, while describing a mass shooting targeting Indian people. Investigators said it included hateful references to Jewish people, African Americans, Indians and other nonwhite groups, whom Paporakis allegedly called “subhumans,” and outlined plans to kill as many people as possible.
Taco Bell employees told police they received a suspicious message from Paporakis on the day of the alleged plot. (Photo by Duane Prokop/Getty Images for Taco Bell)
Police said the writings portrayed Paporakis as taking pride in the identity of a “sociopathic white supremacist Neo-Nazi,” expressing hatred and fantasies about mass murder that officials said occurred nearly every day.
The document also allegedly used the name “Aurora Shooter” to refer to Paporakis.
The judge ordered Paporakis to remain in custody. His next court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 30.
The Hindu temple said it had been notified of the security threat and has increased security measures.
“Please know that the safety of our devotees, employees and volunteers is our highest priority, and we have implemented additional security measures effective immediately, including increased armed security presence at the Temple and are taking additional steps to ensure an ongoing safe environment for everyone at the Temple,” the temple said in a message on its website.