US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi
What police say about the alleged temple attack plan
US lawmaker Raja Krishnamoorthi has warned that anti-Indian hatred and white supremacist ideology can lead to deadly violence after police arrested a 19-year-old man accused of planning a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois. The case came to light on October 11, when the Palatine Police Department received information from the Mount Prospect Police Department about concerning electronic communications allegedly sent by Alexandros Paporakis. Detectives believe Paporakis may have been preparing to attack on October 11, potentially targeting a Hindu place of worship in the Aurora area.
Krishnamoorthi condemned the alleged plan, saying authorities and communities must take threats against Indian Americans seriously before anyone is killed. He also thanked the people who alerted authorities and the law enforcement officers who intervened. Police contacted Hindu places of worship within their jurisdiction to warn them about the threat.
Suspect held after weapons recovered
Paporakis was arrested as he was leaving his residence. A subsequent search of his home led detectives to recover a rifle, multiple loaded magazines, hundreds of additional rounds of ammunition and tactical equipment. Police also found a tactical vest containing body armour and a patch bearing imagery associated with white supremacist extremism, as per ANI. Paporakis faces one count of making a terrorist threat, a Class X felony, and one count of unlawful possession of weapons.
Following a detention hearing on Wednesday, a judge ordered him to remain in custody.