Illinois Man Faces Terror Threat Charges After Temple Shooting Plan
A 19-year-old suspect arrested after his rifle jammed at an Aurora temple now returns to court as local leaders push for hate crime classification.
By Nathaniel Hayes ·
Resident Alexandros Paporakis faces felony charges for making a terrorist threat and unlawfully possessing a firearm. He appeared in court this Friday morning. The charges stem from an attempted attack at the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Aurora, Illinois. Paporakis, 19, sat in the temple parking lot on Oct. 11 but fled before firing a shot. His rifle jammed during the incident. Prosecutors stated he was arrested later that day near his home in Palatine, Illinois. That location is roughly 40 miles from the temple. A Taco Bell co-worker alerted authorities after Paporakis mentioned a plan to kill Indian people.
The incident occurred during the start of Navaratri, a nine-night Hindu festival. The holiday leads into Dussehra and Diwali, a major celebration for families. Members of the South Asian community are navigating safety concerns while trying to preserve traditions. Asha Rao, executive director of The Chicago Kasam, described the community as appalled and disgusted. She noted the season is usually a peaceful time for gathering with loved ones. Rao said some people are now more hesitant to leave their homes for celebrations. However, she observed a renewed resolve to honor the holiday without fear.
Avatans Kumar, a freelance columnist who occasionally attends the targeted temple, said people are more vigilant now. He noted that individuals are looking for signs of disturbance and keeping their eyes and ears open. The festival involves a nine-night fast that ends with a large celebration on the 10th day. This year, those events feature outdoor fairs and family gatherings. Kumar said discussions about increasing security have shaped these events.
Local and congressional leaders are urging law enforcement to investigate the thwarted attack as a hate crime. U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat whose district includes the temple, asked the FBI to investigate and prosecute the matter as a hate crime. Prosecutors stated Paporakis described himself as a white supremacist and neo-Nazi. He used slurs and hateful language toward Indians and other minority groups. Authorities recovered weapons, ammunition, and a gas canister labeled with a South Asian slur from his home. They also found several items depicting Nazi symbols. Paporakis wrote a lengthy note fantasizing about mass murder and expressing a desire to kill as many non-white people as possible.
Data from Stop AAPI Hate shows a rise in anti-South Asian slurs online. Reports increased by 109% from 2023 to 2025. Nearly half of all South Asian adults said they experienced a hate act based on race, ethnicity, or nationality last year. The South Asian population in Illinois grew from 242,000 in 2010 to 337,000 in 2020. This group now comprises about 2.5% of the state’s population. Rishab Chatty, who leads the Chicago chapter of Hindus for Human Rights, said hatred directed at Hindus was once confined to chat rooms and school cafeterias. He added that it is becoming more violent. Chatty said community members are questioning what it means to belong in a country that exercises hate against them.
Paporakis is scheduled for his next court appearance this Friday. The case remains active as prosecutors review evidence from his home and statements made to co-workers. Community leaders continue to press for additional charges if the investigation confirms hate crime elements. The temple remains open to worshippers during the ongoing festival season.
