A 19-year-old man who allegedly identified as a neo-Nazi has been arrested in connection with a plot to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora, a suburb of Chicago. Alexandros Paporakis, of Palatine, was taken into custody on Sunday after a coworker reported a suspicious message to police.
According to authorities, Paporakis was armed with a modified rifle and approximately 300 rounds of ammunition, and was wearing body armor and other tactical gear when he visited the temple. However, the rifle malfunctioned, and Paporakis returned home without carrying out the alleged attack.
A search of Paporakis' residence revealed a loaded magazine, hundreds of rounds of rifle ammunition, and other tactical gear, as well as an eight-page manifesto detailing the planned attack and Paporakis' white supremacist views. The writings expressed hatred towards Jewish people, African-Americans, Indians, and "non-white" people, and Paporakis described them as "subhumans" with the intention of killing as many as possible.
Paporakis was charged with one felony count of making a terrorist threat and one felony count of unlawful possession of a weapon. A Cook County judge has ordered Paporakis held without bond and has put a jailhouse healthcare order in place, citing the teenager's need for hormone injections for gender transition and treatment for ADHD, depression, and anxiety.
The Hindu temple in Aurora has boosted security in response to the alleged threat, with increased armed security presence and additional measures to ensure a safe environment for devotees, employees, and volunteers. Authorities praised the coworker who reported the suspicious message, encouraging others to come forward if they have information about potential threats.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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