19-Year-Old Arrested Over Alleged Shooting Plot at Hindu Temple in Illinois

A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to carry out a shooting targeting Indians at a Hindu temple in Illinois, United States. According to investigators, Alexandros Paporakis, a resident of Palatine, allegedly went to a Hindu temple in the Aurora suburbs on October 11, intending to open fire on worshippers. The temple was reportedly crowded with devotees on the Sunday holiday. However, the alleged attack was disrupted when his rifle jammed, forcing him to leave the premises without carrying out the shooting, investigators said.

According to reports, the suspect later searched online for ways to fix the jammed firearm and told a friend from the restaurant where he worked about his alleged plan. Concerned by the disclosure, the friend alerted the police, who arrested the teenager at his residence that evening. During a subsequent search, officers reportedly recovered a rifle, magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and other potentially dangerous devices. Investigators also found documents containing racist material and references to violence against people of Indian origin. The Consulate General of India in Chicago welcomed the authorities' intervention and said it was closely monitoring the situation while staying in contact with the local Indian community. Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi also called for action against anti-Hindu hatred.