U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi says he and family were at temple when Palatine man tried to carry out mass shooting

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said he and his family were at the Aurora Hindu temple Sunday when authorities allege a 19-year-old Palatine man attempted to carry out a mass shooting there.

“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,” the Schaumburg Democrat said in a statement Thursday.

Krishnamoorthi, citing information from Cook County prosecutors, said Alexandros Paporakis attempted to open fire on the Sri Venkateswara Swami Balaji Temple before his rifle jammed.

Paporakis later told co-workers what happened and shared plans to try again, according to Krishnamoorthi, but the co-workers informed police, who arrested the suspect before he could return.

Palatine police said Wednesday they arrested Paporakis Sunday evening as he left his home in the 1300 block of North Baldwin Court. Investigators later found a manifesto attributed to Paporakis entitled “Why I Fought: A.K.A. (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto)” and containing statements expressing white supremacist and extremist ideologies, police said.

Police said officers also discovered weapons, hundreds of rounds of rifle ammunition, tactical equipment, body armor and a patch containing imagery associated with white supremacist extremism at Paporakis’ home.

Paporakis is being held in Cook County Jail facing charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of weapons. He is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 30.

At a news conference Thursday, Palatine Police Chief William Nord said investigators identified a red Acura RDX registered to Paporakis entering the parking lot of the temple at about 12:25 p.m. Sunday then leaving 13 minutes later.

“Our investigation has revealed, and it can be confirmed as of right now, that he has been alone in this plan,” he said. “He did reveal some details in the manifesto that he has been planning this for some time.”

Paporakis has been living in Palatine with his mother for approximately year, but police had no previous contacts with him, Nord said. His mother has been questioned but is not cooperating with the investigation, he added.

Authorities gave credit Thursday to the co-worker who tipped off police about the alleged plot.

“I want to thank that individual for their bravery,” said Lucas Rothaar, the acting special agent in charge with the FBI’s Chicago Field Office.

Krishnamoorthi said the case is an example of “how dangerous anti-Indian hatred and white supremacy have become.”

“And we cannot wait until innocent people are killed to take these threats seriously,” he added.

The Consulate General of India issued a statement Thursday thanking the “timely action by law enforcement authorities.”

“We are in touch with members of the Indian diaspora and are monitoring developments,” the statement reads.

szalusky@dailyherald.com