Rifle Jammed As Teen 'Was Waiting To Commit A Massacre' At Hindu Temple: Krishnamoorthi

CHICAGO — U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi was watching his elderly parents sing Hindu prayers at an Aurora temple Sunday when, he said, a gunman outside was preparing to carry out a massacre.

Speaking Friday at a Chicago news conference, Krishnamoorthi described attending the start of Navaratri celebrations at Balaji Temple with his 80-year-old mother and 87-year-old father.

"Little did we know that a 19-year-old shooter was in the parking lot with an AR-15-styled weapon, as well as 300 rounds of ammunition in his car, waiting to commit a massacre," he said.

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Alexandros Paporakis, 19, of Palatine, faces terrorist threat and weapons charges in connection with the alleged plot. A judge ordered him detained Wednesday.

Krishnamoorthi said the suspect attempted to shoot a passerby, but the rifle jammed. He said the suspect then returned home, researched how to clear the weapon and told a coworker he planned to return to the temple.

The coworker alerted police, prompting the coordinated response by Palatine and Mount Prospect officers, Krishnamoorthi said.

At Thursday's law enforcement briefing, Palatine police said they had not yet confirmed whether the rifle malfunctioned or where a video possibly showing it jamming had been recorded.

"I don't know how my family and others escaped," Krishnamoorthi said Friday. "I don't know how I happened to be there, but I believe that one purpose was so I could be here."

Calls For Hate Crime Investigation

Krishnamoorthi said he would call on the FBI to investigate the alleged attack as a hate crime. He also urged the agency to separately track hate directed at individual communities, including Indian Americans, and devote more resources to investigating domestic violent extremism.

He argued that social media companies must be held accountable for spreading hatred and contributing to radicalization.

"Big tech will not police itself," he said. "We must police big tech."

Krishnamoorthi called on public officials across political affiliations to condemn hatred regardless of whom it targets.

"We must stand in solidarity and speak with one voice," he said. "We must hate hate."

Krishnamoorthi also encouraged people to continue practicing their faith openly.

“The attackers want us to change who we are and to change our behavior,” he said. “But to do so would only be yielding to them and yielding to fear, and we will not do that.”

'A House Of Worship Should Be A Sanctuary'

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle hosted the gathering, which brought together elected officials, civil rights advocates and community leaders.

"A house of worship should be a sanctuary," Preckwinkle said. "When anyone threatens that sanctuary, whether it's a temple, a church, a synagogue, a mosque, they’re threatening the values that hold us all together."

Preckwinkle acknowledged the Cook County United Against Hate Consortium, created by Commissioner Scott Britton. Britton was unable to attend and was represented by his chief of staff, Julie Kaviar.

The campaign grew out of efforts to confront hate after antisemitic materials were distributed to homes across the region, including Britton's. Glenview encouraged residents to take the campaign’s pledge in 2023, asking participants to question hateful acts, learn from people with different experiences and educate themselves about safely interrupting hate.

Congressional Colleagues Urge Solidarity

U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson said defending religious liberty means protecting faiths beyond one’s own.

"In America, no one should have to choose between practicing their faith and protecting their life," he said.

U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez condemned attacks against Hindu communities and called for a thorough investigation.

"Dehumanization fuels violence and makes us all less safe," she said.

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley questioned why weapons capable of mass violence remain available and urged people to confront racist rhetoric.

"Every American deserves to live and practice their faith without fear," he said.

U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider spoke about attending Jewish religious services with armed security and refusing to accept hatred as normal.

"Hate is a reality in this country," Schneider said. "We will not let it be normal. We will not let it be normalized. We will not let it rule our lives."

Investigation Continues

Police said Thursday that investigators traced Paporakis' SUV to an Aurora temple parking lot for approximately 13 minutes Sunday. A search of his residence recovered a rifle, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, body armor and tactical equipment.

Authorities continue examining electronic devices and corroborating details in an eight-page document attributed to Paporakis. Police said they had identified no known ongoing threat to the public associated with the case.

Paporakis faces one count of making a terrorist threat, a Class X felony, and one count of unlawfully possessing a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches, a Class 3 felony. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 30 in Rolling Meadows.

The charges are accusations. Paporakis is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Additional Past Coverage:

• ‘Cook County United Against Hate’ Campaign Launches
• Glenview Encourages Community To Take Pledge Condemning Hate
• Glenview Park District Unites Against Hate With Cook County