White Supremacist Neo-Nazi Teen Arrested Over Alleged Mass Shooting Plot at Hindu Temple in Illinois

October 15, 2026

Aurora, US: A 19-year-old man accused of planning a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois was arrested after his rifle allegedly jammed when he attempted to open fire, preventing the attack, according to authorities. The suspect, identified as Alexandros Paporakis, was taken into custody following a tip from a co-worker to whom he allegedly confessed his actions.

Paporakis appeared in court on Wednesday and was charged with making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of weapons. A judge remanded him to custody until October 30, when he is scheduled to appear in court again.

According to prosecutors, the suspect had gone to a Hindu temple in Aurora, approximately 70 kilometres from Chicago, on Saturday and attempted to carry out the shooting. However, his rifle allegedly failed to fire when he pulled the trigger, forcing him to flee the scene.

Authorities said there are three temples in Aurora and that police had notified local temples about the threat.

Co-Worker’s Tip Led to Arrest

Paporakis was arrested outside his home in Palatine, around 60 kilometres from Chicago, on Sunday after police received information from a co-worker at a fast-food restaurant.

According to prosecutors, Paporakis contacted the co-worker through a text message on Sunday and asked them to call him. During the conversation, he allegedly admitted that he had attempted to carry out the shooting but that his rifle had not fired when he pulled the trigger. He reportedly told the co-worker that he had fled the scene quickly.

The co-worker subsequently contacted police in Mount Prospect, who passed the information to authorities in Palatine, leading to Paporakis’s arrest.

Prosecutors also said the suspect sent the co-worker a photograph of himself wearing a tactical vest, along with an eight-page document titled “Why I Fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto).”

Racist Manifesto Targeted Indians and Hindus

Court documents describe the alleged manifesto as containing racist statements directed at people of Indian descent and a Hindu temple. Prosecutors said the suspect portrayed himself as a white supremacist and neo-Nazi and expressed an intention to kill as many people from minority communities as possible.

Authorities said his writings also expressed hatred towards Jewish people and other non-white communities, including African Americans.

Palatine Police Chief William Nord said investigators found extremist views and references to violence and mass killings in the document.

“The seriousness of this alleged threat cannot be overstated,” Nord said.

According to prosecutors, Paporakis had allegedly been planning the attack for two years. The suspect reportedly described himself in his writings as a white supremacist neo-Nazi consumed by hatred.

Rifle, Ammunition and Body Armour Recovered

Police Chief Nord said a search of Paporakis’s home uncovered a rifle, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and body armour.

Investigators said the body armour featured designs associated with white supremacist extremism.

Police also worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to access the suspect’s electronic devices and communications as part of the investigation.

According to authorities, the evidence recovered from his home and electronic devices is being examined in connection with the alleged plot.

Suspect Remains in Custody

Prosecutors told the court that Paporakis may have mental health issues. His co-worker also reportedly told police that he had been behaving erratically over the weekend.

Police said the teenager lived with his mother, who had been unable to prevent him from purchasing a weapon.

The case remains under investigation, with authorities examining the alleged manifesto, the suspect’s communications and the circumstances surrounding the attempted attack. Paporakis remains in custody and is due to appear in court again on October 30.