US News
Police say Chicago-area teen may have plotted mass shooting at Hindu temple
ABC News reports a 19-year-old Palatine, Illinois, man was arrested after investigators believe he planned to target a Hindu temple.
The short version
- Police in a Chicago suburb say they arrested a 19-year-old Palatine, Illinois, Taco Bell cashier they believe may have planned an attack on a Hindu place of worship.[ABC News]
- Prosecutors say he openly identified as a white supremacist at work, and they allege a manifesto outlined a plot to kill Indian, Jewish and African American people.[ABC News]
- Investigators believe the intended target was the largest Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, but the exact location remains under investigation.[ABC News]
- He faces felony terrorist threat and weapons charges, will remain jailed pretrial, and is next due in court Oct. 30.[ABC News]
Key facts
- Police in a Chicago suburb announced they thwarted a potential mass shooting and arrested Alexandros Paporakis, 19, a Taco Bell cashier from Palatine, Illinois.[ABC News]
- Paporakis faces felony charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawfully possessing weapons.[ABC News]
- Investigators believe Paporakis planned to target the largest Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois.[ABC News]
- Co-workers told police they received digital communications from Paporakis, including a document outlining an alleged mass shooting plan and photos of tactical gear.[ABC News]
- Prosecutors from the Cook County State's Attorney's Office said Paporakis openly identified as a white supremacist at work and said he couldn't wait to kill Indian people.[ABC News]
- Mount Prospect and Palatine police coordinated his arrest Sunday as he left his home, the same day detectives believe he may have been planning an attack.[ABC News]
- A search of his home reportedly recovered an AR-style rifle without a serial number, loaded magazines, ammunition, and items depicting Nazi symbolism.[ABC News]
- A judge ruled Wednesday that Paporakis will remain in jail pretrial, with his next court appearance scheduled for Oct. 30.[ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- The exact intended target remains under investigation, so the Aurora temple is a belief held by investigators rather than an established fact.[ABC News]
- The manifesto, the Sunday call about a jammed gun, and the contents of the home search are allegations from prosecutors and a court document and have not been tested in court.[ABC News]
- It was not immediately clear whether Paporakis has legal representation.[ABC News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Teen accused of plotting mass shooting at Chicago-area Hindu templeABC News - US News
- Teen accused of plotting mass shooting at Chicago-area Hindu templeAssociated Press
- Police arrest US teen in alleged Illinois Hindu temple mass shooting plotAl Jazeera
- Illinois man arrested over alleged plot to attack Hindu place of worship, police sayThe Guardian - US
- Man charged in alleged plot potentially targeting Hindu place of worship in IllinoisABC News - Top Stories
- US teen held over Hindu temple attack plot: Is anti-Indian racism rising?Al Jazeera
- Rep. Krishnamoorthi Says a ‘White Supremacist’ Tried to Carry Out a Mass Shooting at His Hindu TempleThe Washington Sun
- Car registered to man accused of planning mass shooting was at Hindu temple he targeted, police sayAssociated Press
- Community leaders say foiled Illinois mass shooting was result of surge in anti-Hindu hate onlineAssociated Press
- Community leaders say foiled Illinois mass shooting was result of surge in anti-Hindu hate onlineABC News - US News