Police Praise Tipster Who Helped Prevent Hindu Temple Attack

NEW YORK, NY – US authorities have praised the bravery of a person who alerted police to an alleged mass-shooting plot targeting the Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, helping avert a potentially deadly attack.

Palatine Police Chief William Nord praised the co-worker’s “willingness to report these communications”, saying the tip “played a vital role” in preventing the attack.

“We were very fortunate that something much, much worse did not happen,” Nord said, adding that the communications from the alleged plotter prompted the co-worker to contact the Mount Prospect Police Department.

The tipster has not been publicly identified but worked with the suspect at Taco Bell, a fast-food restaurant.

Lucas Rothar, acting head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Chicago office, also thanked the individual for coming forward.

“I want to thank that individual for their bravery,” Rothar said. “I want to praise and offer my personal, sincerest thanks to the individual who stepped forward.”

He said that in many cases involving potential violence or terrorism, a member of the public comes forward and helps law enforcement prevent an attack.

Alexandros Paporakis, 19, a self-described “white supremacist Neo Nazi”, was arrested in Palatine, about 60 kilometers from Chicago, following the tip about his alleged plan to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in nearby Aurora.

According to Nord, Paporakis told his co-worker that he had tried to shoot at the temple on October 10, but his gun did not fire and he left “superfast”. He allegedly planned to return after fixing the rifle and try again.

The co-worker contacted police in Mount Prospect on October 11. They passed the information to authorities in Palatine, where Paporakis lived, Nord said.

During Paporakis’ arrest and a search of his home, police recovered a loaded rifle, several hundred rounds of ammunition and a tactical vest. Investigators also found an eight-page “manifesto” expressing hatred towards Indians and Hindus and outlining the alleged plan to attack the temple.

Nord declined to identify the targeted temple, saying authorities were withholding its name out of respect for the community. He described it as a known Hindu temple in the Aurora area.

Paporakis appeared in court on October 14 and was charged with making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of weapons. He remains in custody. (IANS)