Illinois man faces charges in alleged mass shooting plot

Police arrested a 19-year-old man in suburban Chicago after a report of disturbing messages led investigators to a rifle, ammunition and a document expressing white supremacist views. Detectives believe he may have been planning a mass shooting on October 11, potentially at a Hindu place of worship in Aurora, Illinois. Police say they have not confirmed a target.

Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine was arrested Sunday after an individual reported receiving concerning electronic communications from him, Palatine police said Wednesday. Detectives searched his home and recovered a rifle, multiple loaded rifle magazines and hundreds of additional rounds of rifle ammunition.

Police also reported recovering a tactical vest containing body armor and a patch displaying imagery associated with white supremacist extremism. They did not say where those items were found.

Investigators examined electronic communications and a document attributed to Paporakis titled “Why I Fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto).” Police said the document expressed white supremacist and extremist views and referred to violence against people of South Asian heritage, particularly those of Indian descent.

Al Jazeera reported that, according to Cook County prosecutors, a coworker told police Paporakis openly identified as a white supremacist at work and said he “couldn’t wait” to kill Indian people.

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

After consulting prosecutors from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, police said Paporakis was charged with the felonies of making a terrorist threat and unlawful weapon possession. A judge ordered him detained after a hearing Wednesday, police said. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 30. It was not immediately clear whether he had legal representation.

India’s foreign ministry said it was “deeply concerned” about the case. The incident’s “anti-Hindu and racist nature” was “particularly disturbing,” the ministry said, according to The Guardian.

“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.

The Guardian reported that the statement came days before U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India, as long-running efforts to finalize a bilateral trade agreement had stalled again.

Human rights advocates have said hate against South Asians in the United States has risen in recent years, citing anti-immigration rhetoric and policies and a rise in white supremacist ideology. In this case, investigators say the intended location of any attack remains unconfirmed.