India has asked the United States to ensure the safety of Indians after police in Illinois arrested a 19-year-old accused of planning a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora. The attack failed only because his gun jammed before he could fire.
Updated: October 18, 2026, 10:05 AM IST
Quick Read
- Alexandros Paporakis, 19, of Palatine, Illinois, was arrested on October 11 for allegedly planning a mass shooting at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Aurora on Sunday. He appeared in court on October 14 and was charged with making a terror threat and unlawful possession of weapons.
- Investigators recovered a manifesto expressing white supremacist views, an AR-style rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, body armour and tactical gear. Prosecutors allege he openly identified as a white supremacist and wanted to kill Indian people.
- MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, at the October 16 briefing, called it a “matter of deep concern” and said it highlights “increasing cases of hate crimes and racial discrimination against the Indian community in the US”. US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi revealed he and his family were at the temple when the attempt happened.
“This is obviously a matter of deep concern for us,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his bi-weekly media briefing on October 16. “At the same time it is something that shows or highlights the increasing cases of hate crimes and racial discrimination against the Indian community in the United States.”
India’s ask was direct: “We call on the US side to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals in the country.” A day earlier, in a formal statement, the MEA had described the reported anti-Hindu and racist character of the plot as “particularly disturbing”, and said it added to growing concerns over “racist hostility and anti-India hate” in the US.
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What happened at the Aurora temple
The Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora, near Chicago, is a busy place of worship for Indian-American families. Last Sunday, October 11, it was full of devotees. Among them, allegedly, was a 19-year-old with a rifle and a plan.
According to investigators, Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine — about 40 miles from the temple — showed up intending to carry out a mass shooting. The gun jammed outside the temple and could not fire. He drove home.
What happened next is worth noting, because it shows how the plot was actually caught. Paporakis later discussed the failed attempt with colleagues, who flagged his suspicious electronic communications. A colleague alerted authorities on October 11, and he was arrested that afternoon near his home. He appeared in court on October 14 and was charged with one count of making a terror threat and one count of unlawful possession of weapons. A judge ordered him detained; his next court appearance is set for October 30.
The manifesto and what police found
Searches of Paporakis’s home turned up an AR-style rifle with no serial number, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of rifle ammunition, body armour and tactical equipment, plus a patch with Nazi-related imagery, The Statesman reported.
Police also found an eight-page document titled “Why I Fought: A.K.A. (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto)”. Prosecutors allege it contained racist statements targeting Indians, Jewish people and Black people, along with descriptions of planned mass violence — and that Paporakis openly identified as a white supremacist and neo-Nazi, and had expressed eagerness to kill Indian people. Those allegations are still before the court and have not been proven.
India’s response — and a congressman who was there
The case drew wider attention after US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi revealed that he and his family were worshipping at the temple when the attempt took place. Krishnamoorthi, an Indian-American Democrat who represents Illinois’ 8th congressional district, said in a statement:
“My family and I were worshipping at our Hindu temple in Aurora on Sunday when a white supremacist attempted a mass shooting targeting Indian Americans. I’m grateful to those who helped prevent a tragedy, but we must come together to confront the hatred that put so many innocent lives at risk.”
“We cannot wait until innocent people are killed to take these threats seriously,” he added. Congressman Brad Sherman called the attempt “the epitome of evil”. The US India Caucus co-chairs demanded the attack be probed as a potential hate crime, with threat information shared with Hindu temples and other South Asian houses of worship.
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A wider pattern of hate
The MEA’s words — “increasing cases of hate crimes and racial discrimination” — point to a trend with numbers behind it. A report by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, cited by US lawmakers, found monthly anti-South Asian hate on X rose 240 per cent between January 2024 and June 2026, with more than half a million such posts on the platform between January 2025 and June 2026.
New Delhi has “taken note” of the US law enforcement action — but wants a thorough investigation and decisive action. The allegations against Paporakis remain to be proven in a US court. The diplomatic message, though, is already on record: protect Indians.
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FAQs
What happened at the Illinois temple?
On Sunday, October 11, 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine allegedly tried to carry out a mass shooting at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Aurora, Illinois. His gun jammed outside the temple and he drove home. A colleague who saw his suspicious messages alerted police, and he was arrested the same day.
What has he been charged with?
He appeared in court on October 14 and was charged with one count of making a terror threat and one count of unlawful possession of weapons. A judge ordered him detained; his next hearing is October 30. Prosecutors allege a white supremacist motive based on a manifesto found at his home — those claims are yet to be proven in court.
What has India said?
The MEA called it a “matter of deep concern” that highlights “increasing cases of hate crimes and racial discrimination against the Indian community in the US”, and called on Washington to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals. India wants a thorough investigation and decisive action.
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