Illinois Teenager Charged Over Alleged Plot to Attack Hindu Temple

A 19-year-old Illinois man appeared in court Wednesday on charges stemming from an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple near Chicago.

Alexandros Paporakis, of Palatine, faces one count of making a terrorist threat and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon for possessing a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches, according to the BBC’s U.S. partner CBS News.

Authorities say a search of Paporakis’ home uncovered a manifesto in which he identified as a white supremacist and expressed hatred toward non-white people. Prosecutors allege he told a colleague his firearm had jammed and sent messages displaying an AR-style rifle, as well as a photo of himself wearing a tactical vest.

Two coworkers from the Taco Bell where Paporakis was employed contacted police on Sunday after receiving the alarming communications. During a search of his residence, Palatine police recovered a rifle, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and body armor, Chief William Nord said.

Investigators also examined Paporakis’ electronic devices and communications, where they located the manifesto. “Reading through the manifesto, he did state some extremist ideologies and talked about violence, he talked about mass killings and how he wanted to carry out this mass shooting,” Nord told CBS.

Prosecutors further allege that a coworker reported Paporakis had spoken openly about his white supremacist views at work and made disparaging remarks about other races. On Saturday, Paporakis allegedly told a worker he was planning “it” at a Hindu temple in Aurora and indicated Sunday “was going to be a special day,” before contacting his colleague the following day.

Police have not confirmed a specific intended target, and the investigation remains active. U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi said he was “horrified” by the incident, stating in a social media post: “Every American deserves to live and worship without fear, and we must stand together against hatred in all its forms.”

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