India 'deeply concerned' by alleged plot at Hindu place of worship near Chicago

Palatine police recovered rifle, body armor and white supremacist patch

India’s foreign ministry said Wednesday it was “deeply concerned” by the alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu place of worship near Chicago, describing the incident’s “anti-Hindu and racist nature” as “particularly disturbing.” The statement came days before U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s planned visit to India and as long-running efforts to finalize a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries have stalled again.

“We expect US authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter, bring those responsible to justice, and take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents,” the ministry said in a statement.

Palatine, Illinois police said on Wednesday that Alexandros Paporakis, 19, was arrested on Sunday after an individual reported receiving concerning electronic communications from him. It was not immediately clear if he had legal representation.

Detectives executing a search warrant at Paporakis’s residence recovered a rifle, multiple loaded rifle magazines and hundreds of rounds of additional rifle ammunition, police said. “Among the recovered items was a tactical vest containing body armor and a patch displaying imagery associated with white supremacist extremism,” Palatine police added.

Detectives also examined electronic communications and a document attributed to Paporakis titled “Why I Fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto).” According to police, the document contained statements expressing white supremacist and extremist ideologies, including references to violence directed toward individuals of South Asian heritage, particularly those of Indian descent.

Police said detectives believe Paporakis may have been planning to carry out an attack on October 11, potentially targeting a Hindu place of worship in Aurora. “However, the specific intended location has not been confirmed and remains under investigation,” police said, adding the FBI is assisting in the investigation.

After consultation with prosecutors from the Cook County state’s attorney’s office, Paporakis faced felony charges of “making a terrorist threat” and unlawful weapon possession, police said. He appeared for a detention hearing on Wednesday, where a judge ordered him detained. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 30.

Human rights advocates have said hate against South Asians has spiked in the United States in recent years, attributing the rise to factors including anti-immigration rhetoric and policies and a broader spread of white supremacist ideology.