Police in Illinois released more details Thursday about a man accused of planning a mass shooting.
The nineteen year old lives in Palatine, Illinois, but police believe he was plotting an attack in Aurora.
At a press conference Thursday morning, police said the suspect has been living in Palatine with his mother for about a year and there was no prior contact with police. Police also said they believe he was acting alone.
Police said it was a co-worker of the suspect that alerted authorities about the potential mass shooting.
Alexandros Paporakis, a Taco Bell cashier, faces felony charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawfully possessing weapons.
Investigators believe he planned to target the largest Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, but the exact intended location remains under investigation. It was not immediately clear if Paporakis has legal representation.
At Paporakis’ condo, investigators said they found an AR-style rifle with no serial number, hundreds of rounds of ammunition , a tactical vest, gas can, and items with Nazi symbolism.
Paporakis penned an eight-page manifesto using derogatory and racially charged slurs and specifically targeted people of Indian descent at a Hindu house of worship, according to court documents in the case. He pledged he would die himself, but not before killing as many minorities as possible, prosecutors said.
Paporakis was in contact with a co-worker at a Taco Bell in Arlington Heights, according to investigators, who said he became manic over the weekend culminating with him sending a video of an A-R style rifle and a photo of himself wearing a tactical vest. That co-worker then called police.
Palatine police arrested Paporakis on Sunday at his apartment and say they found an A-R style rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and other tactical gear.
In pretrial detention documents obtained by our sister station WLS-TV, prosecutors said Paporakis described himself as a “sociopathic white supremacist Neo Nazi filled with hatred” who drove to a location, attempted to fire his gun at a man, but the gun jammed. He had been planning the attack for two years, according to court records.
Former DHS Intel Chief John Cohen said that according to Paproakis’s coworker, there were signs something was wrong.
“What we have actually found is that in almost every case, an individual who is planning an attack will exhibit behaviors, either online or in the physical world, that represent an articulation of intent to engage in violence,” said Cohen.
Prosecutors said Paporakis suffers from mental health issues and lived with his mother who they say failed to prevent him from making violent plans and purchasing a firearm.
“We need to do a better job educating the public on what to look for and what to report, and we need to do a better job and provide more resources to localities so that they can rapidly take steps to prevent the shooting from occurring,” Cohen said.
A judge ordered that the suspect be held in custody.
Police are now coordinating with the FBI and say more charges could come.
Aurora Alderwoman Shweta Baid shared the following statement Wednesday evening:
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the reported attempted shooting targeting devotees at the Hindu temple in Aurora. No one should ever feel unsafe while practicing their faith or gathering in a place of worship or anywhere. Such threats are unacceptable and have no place in our community. I commend law enforcement for their efforts to protect our residents and places of worship. I stand in solidarity with all the community members and reaffirm our shared commitment to religious freedom, public safety, and mutual respect. City of Aurora’s strength lies in its diversity, compassion, and unity. We must stand together against hatred and intolerance and ensure that every resident feels safe, respected, and welcome, regardless of their faith or background.”
Illinois U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi shared the following statement Wednesday evening:
“I am horrified that a white supremacist allegedly attempted to massacre Indian Americans at a Hindu temple in Aurora. This is where the poison of anti-Indian hatred and white supremacy can lead, and we cannot wait until innocent people are killed to take it seriously. I am grateful to the co-workers who sounded the alarm and the law enforcement officers who intervened. Every American deserves to live and worship without fear, and we must stand together against hatred in all its forms.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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