Police in Palatine, Illinois, detained Alexandros Paporakis on Sunday afternoon after co-workers reported he had attempted to open fire at a Hindu temple in nearby Aurora. The 19-year-old, who works as a cashier, allegedly told a colleague his gun had jammed during the visit and that he wanted to repair it and try again. Investigators believe the incident occurred around 12:25 pm on October 11, when surveillance footage showed his car entering the temple parking lot and leaving 13 minutes later.
The arrest stems from a two-year plot detailed in an eight-page manifesto titled “Why I Fought: A.K.A. (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto).” In the document, Paporakis described himself as a “sociopathic white supremacist Neo Nazi” and labeled Indian, Jewish, and Black people as “subhumans.” He had spoken to colleagues about his hatred, stating he “couldn’t wait to kill Indian people” and referring to the planned attack date as “a special day.”
A search of Paporakis’ home revealed an AR-style rifle without a serial number, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and a tactical vest with body armour. Investigators also recovered Nazi imagery and a gas canister marked with an anti-South Asian slur. FBI Chicago Field Office Special Agent in Charge Ryan Whalen said the agency worked with local police to neutralize the threat, crediting the rapid response for preventing potential harm.
Palatine Police Chief William Nord emphasized that protecting places of worship is a top priority, noting the severity of the alleged threat. The Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora has alerted its members to a security threat, though police have not officially confirmed it as the specific target. Paporakis faces a Class X felony for making a terrorist threat and a Class 3 felony for possessing a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches. A judge ordered him detained before trial on Wednesday, with his next hearing scheduled for October 30.