Rep. Raja And Family Were In The Temple When Shooter Was Apprehended
WASHINGTON, DC – The foiled mass shooting attempt at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, has sparked bipartisan condemnation and alarm among Indian American and Hindu organizations, with community leaders urging heightened security at places of worship and US officials calling for action against white supremacist and anti-Hindu hatred.
Authorities arrested 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis after receiving information about a potential mass shooting. Prosecutors allege that the suspect, who held white supremacist and neo-Nazi beliefs, attempted to open fire at the temple on October 11, but his rifle jammed.
The suspect later told coworkers about the incident and disclosed plans to return to the temple. The coworkers alerted police, leading to his arrest before he could allegedly make another attempt. He was ordered held on October 14.
The incident has drawn particular concern after Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, (D-IL) said he and his family were worshipping at the temple when the attack was attempted.
“I am horrified that a white supremacist attempted to carry out a mass shooting targeting Indian Americans at the Hindu temple in Aurora where my family worships. My family and I were there when the attack was attempted October 11,” Krishnamoorthi said.
He warned that anti-Indian hatred and white supremacy posed serious threats and said action was needed before innocent lives were lost. He also thanked the suspect’s coworkers for alerting police and praised law enforcement officers for intervening.
“The freedom to worship without fear is a fundamental American right,” Rep. Rich McCormick, a Georgia Republican and co-chair of the House India Caucus, said, condemning the plot as an attack on innocent Americans. He said violence based on religion, political orientation or race was wrong.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, also condemned the planned attack, calling for a united stand against white supremacist violence targeting temples, synagogues, churches and mosques.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said her office would review the case. “Concerning. @CivilRights will review/investigate,” she wrote on X on October 14, sharing a report about the alleged plot.
India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, described the incident as deeply disturbing.
“Racist violence, including anti-Hindu and anti-India hate has no place in a civilized society,” Kwatra said in a social media post.
The FBI’s Chicago field office confirmed the arrest, saying it had worked with the Palatine and Mount Prospect police departments in the investigation. FBI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Ryan Whalen said the bureau worked with local and state law enforcement to identify and dismantle threats of violence driven by radical ideologies. (IANS)
