Illinois man charged over alleged plot to attack Chicago-area Hindu temple
A 19-year-old Illinois man has been charged after police say a colleague’s tip helped stop an alleged mass-shooting plot at a Hindu temple near Chicago. Investigators say the suspect tried to fire a gun at the temple but it jammed, and the case has raised concerns about racist hostility and anti-India hate in the United States.
Police say Alexandros Paporakis sent messages about the planned attack to a co-worker, who alerted authorities. Officers searching his home found a rifle, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, body armour and an eight-page document containing extremist views and attack plans. The temple has introduced additional security measures; Paporakis faces charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a weapon.
- A colleague’s tip helped stop an alleged temple shooting plot.
- Police say the suspect’s gun jammed at the temple.
- Officers found a rifle, ammunition, body armour and extremist writings.
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Hinduism is one of the world’s major religions, and Hindu temples are places for worship and community activities. The Chicago area has Hindu communities alongside people of many other faiths and backgrounds.
The case involves Alexandros Paporakis, a 19-year-old Illinois resident, and a colleague who told authorities about messages describing an intended attack. Police say evidence found at Paporakis’s home included weapons and a document setting out attack plans. The charges concern a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a weapon; they are allegations to be dealt with through the legal process.
The incident has drawn attention to security at religious sites and to concerns about hostility towards Hindus and people of Indian heritage in the United States. The temple has added security measures.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Tip-off foiled US teen suspect’s plot to attack Hindu temple, police say”.