Aurora Temple Shooting Foiled: 19-Year-Old Arrested After Rifle Jam
Prosecutors say the suspect, who described himself as a white supremacist, fled the scene after a mechanical failure prevented him from firing during the Navaratri festival.
By Isaac Medina ·
The nine-night festival of Navaratri typically brings thousands of worshippers to temples across the Chicago area for prayer and family gatherings, but this year’s holiday began with a thwarted mass shooting attempt. On Oct. 11, Alexandros Paporakis, 19, entered the parking lot of the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora, Illinois, and waited for an opportunity to fire his rifle. He did not leave a shot because the weapon jammed, according to prosecutors.
Paporakis fled the scene and was later apprehended near his residence in Palatine, Illinois, which is located roughly 40 miles from the temple. A coworker at a Taco Bell alerted law enforcement after the suspect mentioned a plan to kill Indian people. He faces felony charges for making a terrorist threat and unlawful firearm possession. His next court appearance is scheduled for Friday morning.
Ashaa Rao, executive director of The Chicago Kasam, a nonprofit that supports the local South Asian community, described the incident as a disruption to a season meant for peace and connection. She noted that the community is appalled by the violence but is determined to continue celebrating. Rao emphasized that the goal is to preserve traditions and find comfort in shared experiences with loved ones despite the fear.
Avatans Kumar, a freelance columnist who attends the targeted temple, said the holiday’s traditional outdoor fairs and large gatherings are now shaped by heightened security discussions. He observed that people are more vigilant, actively watching for signs of disturbance during the festivities. The festival culminates in Dussehra, with the major holiday of Diwali following three weeks later.
Local and congressional leaders are urging law enforcement to investigate whether the attack qualifies as a hate crime. U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, whose district includes Aurora, has called on the FBI to prosecute the matter accordingly. Prosecutors stated that Paporakis described himself as a white supremacist and neo-Nazi, using slurs to refer to Indians and other minority groups.
After the arrest, officials recovered weapons, ammunition, and a gas canister labeled with a slur from Paporakis’ home. They also found items depicting Nazi symbols and a lengthy note in which he outlined fantasies of mass murder. The suspect expressed a desire to kill as many non-white people as possible in the document.
The incident has amplified existing concerns within the South Asian community. Data from Stop AAPI Hate shows that anti-South Asian slurs online increased by 109% between 2023 and 2025. Nearly half of South Asian adults reported experiencing a hate act based on their race or nationality last year. Rishab Chatty, who leads the Chicago chapter of Hindus for Human Rights, noted that hatred directed at the community is becoming more violent, moving beyond online spaces and school hallways.
