Illinois Teen Arrested for Alleged Hindu Temple Mass Shooting Plot

Police in Palatine, Illinois, arrested a 19-year-old man on Sunday, October 12, 2026, who is accused of plotting to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu place of worship. Alexandros Paporakis faces felony charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawfully possessing weapons.

Investigators allege that Paporakis, a Taco Bell cashier, expressed white supremacist views to his co-workers and stated his intent to kill Indian people. Prosecutors claim he sent a co-worker an eight-page document titled, “Why I fought: A.K.A. (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto),” which reportedly described Indian, Jewish, and African American people as “subhumans” and outlined a plot to kill them. According to court documents, Paporakis described himself in the manifesto as “a sociopathic white supremacist Neo Nazi filled with hatred, fantasizing about mass murder nearly every day.”

Paporakis was arrested as he was leaving his home on Sunday, the same day authorities believe he may have intended to carry out the attack. He had reportedly told co-workers that Sunday was going to be “a special day.” Prosecutors stated that Paporakis called a co-worker earlier that day, reporting that his gun had jammed and that he left quickly without being seen.

During a search of Paporakis's home, authorities recovered an AR-style rifle lacking a serial number, loaded magazines, ammunition, a gas canister marked with a slur targeting South Asians, and items depicting Nazi symbolism, according to police and prosecutors.

Palatine Police Chief William Nord emphasized the gravity of the alleged threat, stating, “The seriousness of this alleged threat cannot be overstated,” and affirmed that protecting places of worship is a law enforcement priority.

A judge ordered Paporakis to be held without bail pending trial. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 30, 2026.