A 19-year-old man has been arrested in a Chicago suburb in connection with an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting, Palatine police said on Wednesday. Alexandros Paporakis was arrested on Sunday after an individual reported receiving concerning electronic communications from him.
Police stated that Paporakis had shared a document expressing white supremacist views and outlining an alleged plan for a mass shooting, potentially targeting a Hindu place of worship. Detectives recovered a rifle, multiple loaded rifle magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition from his residence. A tactical vest containing body armour and a patch associated with white supremacist extremism was also found.
Electronic communications and a document attributed to Paporakis, titled "Why I Fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto)", contained statements expressing white supremacist and extremist ideologies, including references to violence towards individuals of South Asian heritage. Police believe Paporakis may have been planning an attack on 11 October, potentially targeting a Hindu place of worship in Aurora, though the specific location remains unconfirmed and under investigation.
Following consultation with prosecutors, Paporakis faces felony charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawful weapon possession. He appeared for a detention hearing on Wednesday where a judge ordered him detained. His next court appearance is scheduled for 30 October.
India's foreign ministry expressed deep concern over the incident, highlighting its "anti-Hindu and racist nature" as "particularly disturbing". The ministry stated it expects US authorities to investigate thoroughly and take necessary measures to prevent such incidents.