Teen Accused of Plotting Mass Shooting at Chicago-Area Hindu Temple

A 19-year-old man, Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine, Illinois, has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in the Chicago area. Authorities believe Paporakis may have intended to target the largest Hindu temple in Aurora, though the specific location remains under investigation. The alleged attack was reportedly thwarted when his rifle jammed, leading him to flee the scene on October 11, 2026.

The plot came to light after a co-worker at Paporakis's Taco Bell job reported concerning electronic communications and conversations to police. Prosecutors allege that Paporakis, who openly identified as a white supremacist, had expressed a desire to kill Indian people and shared an eight-page manifesto titled "Why I fought: A.K.A. (Aurora Shooter's Manifesto)," which contained hateful ideologies against various minority groups. Following his arrest on October 11, a search of Paporakis's home uncovered an AR-style rifle, multiple loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, tactical equipment, and a tactical vest with white supremacist imagery.

Paporakis faces felony charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of weapons. He was ordered to be detained without bond, and his next court appearance is scheduled for October 30, 2026. Law enforcement, including the Palatine Police Department and the FBI, are continuing their investigation into the alleged plot.