Public Safety · Aurora, IL
Man Accused of Planning Mass Shooting at Aurora Hindu Temple Arrested; Security Increased
Illinois authorities arrested 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis near his Palatine home on Sunday after he allegedly told Taco Bell coworkers he planned to kill Indian people at the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora. Police say a red Acura RDX registered to Paporakis entered the temple parking lot around 12:25 p.m. Sunday and left under 15 minutes later; a search of his home found an AR-style rifle, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, a tactical vest, and a patch depicting Nazi symbolism. The temple announced increased armed security effective immediately, and Aurora police are contacting other temples in the area. Paporakis faces felony charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawfully possessing a rifle; his next court hearing is set for Oct. 30.