Illinois Teen Arrested Over Alleged Plot Targeting Hindu Temple

Police in Palatine, Illinois, arrested 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis on Sunday after receiving a report about concerning electronic communications from him, according to Palatine police. Al Jazeera

The report came from a coworker. Police said the coworker received disturbing messages from Paporakis, who worked as a Taco Bell cashier in Palatine.

Detectives later searched Paporakis's home. They recovered a rifle, multiple loaded rifle magazines and hundreds of additional rounds of rifle ammunition.

Officers also found a tactical vest containing body armor. The vest carried a patch displaying imagery associated with white supremacist extremism, police said.

Prosecutors from the Cook County State's Attorney's office said the coworker told investigators that Paporakis openly identified as a white supremacist at work. The coworker said Paporakis said he "couldn't wait" to kill Indian people.

Detectives recovered a document titled "Why I fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora Shooter's Manifesto)". Police described it as expressing white supremacist and extremist ideologies referencing violence toward South Asians, specifically Indians.

Authorities believed Paporakis was planning to carry out an attack on Sunday, possibly targeting a Hindu temple in Aurora, about 40 miles southwest of Palatine. Palatine police said the specific intended location has not been confirmed and remains under investigation, with the FBI assisting in the probe.

Paporakis is facing felony charges of making a terrorist threat and possessing an unlawful weapon. A felony is a serious criminal charge that can carry prison time. He appeared for a detention hearing on Wednesday, a court proceeding to decide whether he will remain in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for the end of October.