A 19-year-old from Palatine, Illinois, is accused of planning a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora, a Chicago suburb. Police said a coworker’s report helped authorities intervene before the suspect could allegedly return to the site. The allegations have not been adjudicated.
Police identified the suspect as Alexandros Paporakis. He was arrested Sunday and 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 him held without bond, with another court appearance scheduled for Oct. 30.
According to police and prosecutors, Paporakis drove to the temple with a modified rifle, roughly 300 rounds of ammunition, body armor and other tactical equipment. Authorities allege he intended to carry out a shooting but went home after the rifle malfunctioned. Police said he then searched online for help clearing the weapon and contacted a colleague about his alleged plan.
The coworker, employed with Paporakis at Taco Bell, reported a suspicious message to Mount Prospect police, authorities said. Investigators obtained a search warrant and detained the suspect before he could allegedly return to the temple.
Police said they traced a red Acura registered to Paporakis. Surveillance footage, according to authorities, showed the car enter the temple parking lot at 12:25 p.m. and leave a few minutes later. Police later saw the suspect drive to a residence on Rand Road in Palatine that he shared with his mother.
During a search of the residence, police said they found a rifle, a loaded magazine, hundreds of rounds of rifle ammunition and other tactical gear. Investigators also reported finding an eight-page document they described as a manifesto. Police said it outlined the alleged attack and expressed white supremacist views, hatred toward several racial and religious groups, and a desire to kill people. The document reportedly referred to the suspect as the “Aurora Shooter.” These descriptions and statements are attributed to police; the allegations remain accusations.
At a Thursday news conference, Lucas Rothaar, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Chicago field office, praised the person who alerted authorities. He said members of the public who report potential threats can help law enforcement disrupt violence. Police likewise urged people to contact authorities when they encounter suspicious conduct.
The temple said it knew of the security threat and had added protective measures. In a statement on its website, it said the safety of devotees, employees and volunteers was its highest priority and that it had increased armed security and taken additional steps to maintain a safe environment.
A Cook County judge also issued a jail healthcare order, according to NBC Chicago. The source report says Paporakis receives hormone injections related to gender transition and is being treated for ADHD, depression and anxiety. Those healthcare details are separate from the criminal allegations.
