Jammed Rifle Foils Temple Shooting Plot; Hindu Groups Urge Urgent Vigilance
CHICAGO, IL-Hindu and Indian organizations in the US have condemned a mass-shooting plot against a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, during the Navaratri celebrations, urging vigilance and stronger security at places of worship amid concerns over rising anti-Hindu hatred.
The Consulate General of India in Chicago said it was closely monitoring developments and was in touch with members of the Indian diaspora following the foiled attack.
“We appreciate the timely action by law enforcement authorities,” the consulate said, urging community organizations to remain vigilant during the festive season. It advised temples and community centers to coordinate with local police, review entry points and parking areas, ensure security personnel or trained volunteers were present, maintain emergency contacts and report suspicious activity. The consulate said authorities had reported no known ongoing public threat.
The Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council urged temples and devotees to “remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activity”, adding that everyone should be able to worship freely and without fear.
The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies warned that anti-India and anti-Hindu hatred could translate into real-world threats against communities and places of worship. The Coalition of Hindus of North America called on elected officials and law enforcement agencies to strengthen temple security and unequivocally condemn Hinduphobia.
Authorities arrested 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis in Palatine, Illinois, after a co-worker alerted police to his alleged plan to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora, about 70 kilometers from Chicago.
According to prosecutors, Paporakis told the co-worker that he had gone to the temple on October 10 intending to carry out the attack but fled when his rifle jammed. He was arrested on October 11. Police said they seized a rifle, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and body armor bearing white supremacist symbols from his home.
Paporakis appeared in court on October 14 and was remanded to custody until October 30. He was charged with making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of weapons.
Court documents said he had planned the attack for two years. Prosecutors said he shared an eight-page manifesto titled “Why I Fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto)” with his co-worker. The document contained racist statements targeting people of Indian descent and a Hindu temple, as well as expressions of hatred towards Jewish people and other non-white communities. According to prosecutors, Paporakis said he wanted to die after killing as many minorities as possible.
Palatine Police Chief William Nord said the manifesto described extremist ideologies and mass violence. Police said they worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to access Paporakis’s electronic devices and communications.
The plot comes amid wider concerns over threats against Hindu places of worship in the US. On October 3, bricks were thrown at Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham in Richmond Heights, Ohio, while priests and devotees were inside for a prayer service.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported 32 anti-Hindu hate crimes last year, up from 25 in 2024. (IANS)
