CHICAGO — India’s consulate in Chicago said Wednesday it was monitoring reports of a foiled attempt to target a place of worship in Aurora, Illinois, and praised police for their response.
In its Oct. 14 statement, the Consulate General of India said it was in contact with members of the Indian community. It did not identify the place of worship or provide details about the alleged plot.
“We appreciate the timely action by law enforcement authorities,” the consulate said.
Alexandros Paporakis, 19, of Palatine, was arrested Sunday, Oct. 11, and charged with making a terrorist threat and unlawful weapons possession. Police said he may have planned to attack a Hindu place of worship near Aurora. The intended location remains under investigation.
According to The Associated Press, co-workers alerted police to communications from Paporakis that included an alleged mass shooting plan and photographs of tactical equipment.
Detectives searching his home recovered a rifle, loaded magazines, hundreds of additional rounds of ammunition and body armor, according to police accounts reported by Reuters. Investigators said a document attributed to Paporakis expressed white supremacist views and referred to violence against people of South Asian heritage, particularly those of Indian descent. The FBI is assisting with the investigation.
His public defender told NBC Chicago that the police and prosecution accounts remain allegations and could change as investigators continue their work.
A judge ordered Paporakis held pending trial at a hearing Wednesday. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 30.
