Alexandros Paporakis, a 19-year-old resident of Palatine, Illinois, was arrested on Sunday after police said he plotted a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora. Authorities state that a tip from a coworker at Taco Bell led to his detention before he could return to the scene to carry out the alleged attack.
According to Palatine Police, Paporakis faces one felony count of making a terrorist threat and one felony count of unlawful possession of a weapon. Prosecutors allege that on the day of the incident, the suspect drove to the Hindu temple in Aurora armed with a modified rifle, approximately 300 rounds of ammunition, body armor, and other tactical gear. Police said Paporakis intended to open fire but returned home after his rifle malfunctioned.
After arriving home, the suspect reportedly searched the internet for instructions on how to unjam the gun. He then allegedly called a colleague to inform them of his intent to carry out a mass shooting. Coworkers at Taco Bell reported the suspicious message to Mount Prospect Police, prompting officers to obtain a search warrant and detain Paporakis.
Police identified a red Acura registered to Paporakis following the tip. Surveillance video captured the suspect entering the temple parking lot at 12:25 p.m. in the vehicle before exiting minutes later. Officers later observed him driving to a residence on Rand Road in Palatine shared with his mother. During a search of his possession, police recovered the rifle, a loaded magazine, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and tactical gear.
Investigators also seized an eight-page manifesto that authorities say detailed the planned attack and Paporakis' white supremacist views. Police described the writings as expressing hatred toward Jewish people, African-Americans, Indians, and other "non-white" people, whom Paporakis referred to as "subhumans." The document stated that the suspect planned to kill as many of these individuals as possible and described him as a "sociopathic white supremacist Neo-Nazi" who fantasized about mass murder. The manifesto also referred to Paporakis as the "Aurora Shooter."
Lucas Rothaar, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Chicago Field Office, praised the individual who reported the threat during a Thursday press conference. He described the tipster as a courageous member of the public whose actions helped prevent an attack. Authorities encouraged others to report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
A Cook County judge has ordered Paporakis held without bond. NBC Chicago reported that a jailhouse healthcare order was put in place because the teenager receives hormone injections for gender transition and is being treated for ADHD, depression, and anxiety. The next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 30.
The Hindu temple stated that it is aware of the security threat and has implemented additional security measures effective immediately. The temple said it has increased its armed security presence and is taking further steps to ensure a safe environment for devotees, employees, and volunteers.