A 19-year-old man, identified as Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine, has been arrested over an alleged plot to attack a Hindu place of worship in the Aurora area of Illinois, US. Investigators reportedly recovered a manifesto expressing white supremacist views and containing references to violence against people of Indian origin.
On October 11, the Palatine Police Department was alerted by the Mount Prospect Police Department about information it had received concerning a potential mass shooting. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 30. The information came from an individual who reported receiving disturbing electronic messages from Alexandros Paporakis.
“The seriousness of this alleged threat cannot be overstated,” said Palatine Police Chief William Nord, adding that safeguarding places of worship remains a priority for law enforcement agencies. Police in Palatine, Illinois, arrested Paporakis in coordination with the Mount Prospect Police Department following an investigation into threats of a possible mass shooting at a Hindu temple. Paporakis was arrested as he was leaving his residence. As part of the subsequent investigation, detectives from the Palatine Police Department executed a search warrant at his home.
On Wednesday, a judge ordered that Paporakis remain in custody pending trial.
During the search, investigators seized a rifle, several loaded rifle magazines, hundreds of additional rounds of rifle ammunition, tactical gear and other items believed to be relevant to the investigation. The recovered items included a tactical vest fitted with body armour and a patch bearing imagery associated with white supremacist extremism.
