Fast-food tip leads to arrest in temple shooting plot

Two employees at a Taco Bell in Arlington Heights provided the information that led to the arrest of a 19-year-old Palatine resident, who prosecutors allege planned a mass shooting at a Hindu temple. The incident highlights the role of private sector workers in local public safety efforts.

Alexandros Paporakis, who worked at the store located at 2410 E. Rand Rd., allegedly made disparaging comments about people of other races during several months of employment. He specifically targeted individuals from India and openly identified as a white supremacist to his co-workers, according to prosecutors.

Paporakis' rhetoric intensified in the week leading up to October 10. On that day, while on the clock, he allegedly told one co-worker that he could not wait to kill Indian people. He stated he planned to use a large amount of ammunition against the largest Hindu temple in Aurora. He told a different co-worker that the following day would be special.

The next day, around 1:30 p.m., Paporakis called one of the co-workers who later contacted authorities. He said his gun jammed and that he fled the area quickly. During the call, he sent a video showing his automatic rifle failing to fire when he pulled the trigger. He also sent a photo of himself wearing a tactical vest.

Paporakis allegedly used the call to troubleshoot the weapon so he could retry his plan. He sent his co-worker an eight-page document titled Why I fought: A.K.A. (Aurora Shooter's Manifesto). The document contained derogatory language and described his hate for non-white people. It detailed how he studied the temple on Google Streetview and YouTube and planned the attack over a two-year period.

Following the call, two co-workers dialed 911. Palatine police located Paporakis in a parking lot near his apartment within two hours of the call. Officers executed a search warrant for his unit. They found a bag containing an automatic rifle without a serial number, a tactical vest, eight loaded magazines, one loaded extended magazine, 300 rounds of rifle ammunition, a gas can, and items depicting Nazi symbolism.

Police identified a red Acura registered to Paporakis. Surveillance video showed him entering the Hindu temple parking lot at 12:25 p.m. and exiting three minutes later. He was then observed driving to his residence in Palatine near Rand Road, where he lived with his mother.

Lucas Rothaar, the acting special agent in charge of the FBI Chicago Field Office, praised the individuals who stepped forward. He stated that the public remains law enforcement's greatest asset in disrupting acts of violence. He offered his personal thanks to the courageous member of the public who came forward to prevent the attack.

Paporakis' indictment is scheduled for November 9.