New Delhi: India on Thursday raised concerns over an alleged plan to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois, after a 19-year-old man was arrested over the suspected plot. The Ministry of External Affairs said the reported anti-Hindu and racist nature of the threat, including references to violence against people of Indian origin, was particularly disturbing.
The MEA spokesman, Randhir Jaiswal, said India had taken note of the action by US law enforcement authorities, including the suspect’s arrest and the charges against him. He called for a thorough investigation, justice for those responsible and stronger measures to protect the Indian community.
The statement came after Alexandros Paporakis, a resident of Palatine, Illinois, was detained on Sunday over an alleged plan to attack a Hindu place of worship in the Aurora area near Chicago. He faces charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawfully possessing a short-barrelled rifle.
As RNA Media reported earlier, the investigation began after the Mount Prospect police department received information from a person who reported receiving concerning electronic messages from Paporakis. The department alerted police in Palatine, who arrested him as he left his home.
A search of his residence reportedly uncovered an AR-style rifle without a serial number, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and tactical equipment. Police also recovered a tactical vest with body armour and a patch displaying imagery associated with white supremacist extremism.
Investigators examine alleged manifesto
Investigators, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, examined electronic communications and an eight-page document allegedly written by Paporakis. Titled “Why I Fought: AKA: (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto)”, the document reportedly contained white supremacist views and threats against people of South Asian heritage, particularly Indians.
Prosecutors alleged that Paporakis had spoken to colleagues at a restaurant in Arlington Heights about attacking what he described as Aurora’s largest Hindu temple. They also alleged that he told a colleague he had tried to use his rifle, but it jammed. He reportedly discussed repairing the weapon before trying again.
Police have not identified a specific temple as the intended target. Authorities contacted Hindu places of worship in the area to alert them about the potential threat and said there was no continuing threat to the public.
A Cook County judge ordered Paporakis to remain in custody before trial following a hearing on Wednesday. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 30, RNA Media reported.
India’s consulate in Chicago said it was in contact with the Indian diaspora and monitoring developments. The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against Paporakis have not been proven in court.