A 19-year-old man has been charged in Illinois after police said he planned a mass shooting that may have targeted a Hindu place of worship in the Aurora area. Prosecutors say his rifle jammed on the day of the planned attack, and that co-workers raised the alarm. No one was hurt.
Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine, a Chicago suburb, was arrested on Sunday, October 11, 2026. A judge ordered him held in custody on Wednesday, October 14. The allegations have not been proven in court.
What happened
Palatine police say they got a call from Mount Prospect police at about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Someone had reported receiving worrying messages from Paporakis, including a document describing a mass shooting plan and photos of a rifle, magazines and tactical gear.
Officers from the two departments found Paporakis as he was leaving his home and took him into custody on Sunday evening. Police say they believe he may have planned to attack that day, possibly at a Hindu place of worship in the Aurora area.
Key details from police and prosecutors
- Suspect: Alexandros Paporakis, 19, of Palatine, Illinois. Reports describe him as a cashier at a Taco Bell restaurant.
- Charges: One count of making a terrorist threat and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon, a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches.
- What police found: Officers who searched his home recovered a rifle, several loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, a tactical vest with body armour, and a patch with white supremacist imagery.
- Court: He appeared at the Cook County courthouse in Rolling Meadows on Wednesday, October 14, and a judge ordered him detained. His next hearing is on October 30.
- Investigation: Police are working with the FBI and reviewing possible additional charges. Authorities say they have not found any ongoing threat to the public.
What prosecutors say about the jammed rifle
According to prosecutors at the detention hearing, Paporakis told a co-worker on Saturday that he was planning something at the largest Hindu temple in Aurora. He also told another co-worker that Sunday would be “a special day.”
Prosecutors say that on Sunday afternoon he asked a co-worker to call him, and told him his gun had jammed and that he left “super fast” without being seen. He then allegedly sent messages with a photo of his rifle, a video showing the gun failing to fire, and a photo of himself in a tactical vest. The co-worker and another colleague then called 911, prosecutors said.
Newsweek reports that prosecutors alleged he drove to the Aurora temple and tried to open fire before the weapon failed. Police have not confirmed this. They say the exact location he meant to target is still under investigation and that their information so far points to the largest Hindu temple in Aurora. This is the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple, according to NDTV.
What authorities have said
Palatine Police Chief William Nord said the seriousness of the alleged threat “cannot be overstated.” He credited the quick sharing of information between the Palatine and Mount Prospect departments with leading to the arrest.
Police say the writings they examined contained white supremacist and extremist views, including references to violence against people of South Asian, and particularly Indian, descent. We are not repeating the contents here.
The Aurora Police Department was told about the threat, and the Palatine and Mount Prospect departments also contacted Hindu places of worship in their areas.
The Hindu American Foundation praised law enforcement for acting quickly and urged communities to stay alert and report threats. The Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple said it had been in direct contact with Aurora police and added armed security from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to NDTV.
Why it matters
The case adds to worries about threats against places of worship in the United States. NDTV notes it comes at the start of Navratri, and about two weeks after a Hindu temple in Richmond Heights, Ohio, was vandalised. Investigators have not linked the two events.
It is also an example of how tips from people close to a suspect can stop violence before it happens. In this case, co-workers reported their concerns within hours, according to prosecutors.
What happens next
Paporakis remains in custody ahead of his October 30 hearing. The FBI and local police are still investigating, and more charges are possible. The question of exactly where he went on Sunday, and which place he meant to attack, is still being looked into.
Anyone who sees a threat should report it to local police or the FBI.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the suspect?
Alexandros Paporakis, 19, of Palatine, Illinois.
What is he charged with?
Making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Was anyone hurt?
No injuries have been reported.
Did the rifle really jam?
Prosecutors say he told a co-worker his gun had jammed and sent a video of it failing to fire. This is an allegation from the prosecution and has not been tested in court.
Which temple was the target?
Police say the exact location is still under investigation. They believe it was a Hindu place of worship in Aurora, Illinois, and NDTV says the largest temple there is the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple.
When is the next court date?
October 30, 2026.
Is there a continuing threat to the public?
Authorities say they have not found any ongoing threat linked to this case.
