US teen arrested for plotting mass shooting at Hindu temple in Illinois

US teen arrested for plotting mass shooting at Hindu temple in Illinois

Mangalore Today News Network

Illinois, Oct 15, 2026: A 19-year-old man from Palatine, Illinois, has been arrested for allegedly planning an attack that could have targeted a Hindu place of worship in the Aurora area, following an investigation into an alleged mass shooting plot.

Alexandros Paporakis was arrested on October 11. According to the Palatine Police Department, investigators discovered a document allegedly attributed to him titled “Why I Fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto).” The document reportedly contained white supremacist and extremist ideologies, including references to violence against people of South Asian heritage, particularly those of Indian descent.

Paporakis appeared for a detention hearing on Wednesday at the Cook County Third Municipal District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows. A judge ordered him detained, and he is scheduled to appear in court again on October 30 for further proceedings.

The investigation began after the Mount Prospect Police Department alerted Palatine police on October 11 about information concerning a potential mass shooting. The tip originated from an individual who reported receiving alarming electronic communications.

Investigators alleged that Paporakis had shared a document outlining a plan for a mass shooting, along with images of a rifle, rifle magazines, body armour and other tactical equipment.

Based on information gathered during the investigation, detectives believe he may have been planning an attack on Sunday, October 11, potentially targeting a Hindu place of worship in the Aurora area. However, authorities said the specific intended location had not been confirmed and remained under investigation.

During a search of the suspect’s residence, investigators recovered a rifle, several loaded rifle magazines, hundreds of rounds of additional ammunition, tactical equipment and other items believed to be relevant to the case. They also found a tactical vest containing body armour and a patch displaying imagery associated with white supremacist extremism.

Paporakis has been charged with one count of making a terrorist threat and one count of unlawful weapons possession involving a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches.

Following the discovery of the alleged plot, Aurora police contacted Hindu places of worship within their jurisdiction and alerted them to the potential threat.

The Hindu American Foundation welcomed the police action in a post on X, stating, “We commend law enforcement for swift action.” It also urged community members to remain vigilant and report potential threats, emphasising that every community deserves to worship without fear.

#BREAKING: Potential Mass Shooting Plot Thwarted in Aurora, Illinois. Authorities say a 19-year-old allegedly plotted a mass shooting targeting a Hindu place of worship. Police reportedly recovered a rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, body armor and a manifesto expressing white supremacist extremism and hostility toward people of Indian descent. This comes during Navaratri when thousands of Hindus gather for Garba and also just two weeks after a Hindu temple in Ohio was attacked. We commend law enforcement for swift action. We also urge the community to stay vigilant and Report any potential threat. Every community deserves to worship without fear. https://t.co/WhMj9DT5YP

— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) October 14, 2026

The Palatine Police Department said it was working closely with the FBI and that the investigation remained active, including a review of whether additional charges were warranted. Authorities added that they had not identified any known ongoing threat to the public connected to the incident.

Palatine Police Chief William Nord said the seriousness of the alleged threat could not be overstated. He credited the prompt sharing of information and coordination between the Palatine and Mount Prospect police departments with enabling officers to identify and arrest the suspect.

“Protecting our communities and places of worship remains a priority, and we will continue working with our law enforcement partners as this investigation moves forward,” Nord said.

FBI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Ryan Whalen said the agency worked closely with local and state law enforcement partners to identify, investigate and dismantle threats of violence driven by radical ideologies.

The incident comes amid celebrations of Hindu festivals, including Navaratri, and approximately two weeks after the Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham Hindu Mandir in Richmond Heights, Ohio, was vandalised.