From the HERE City National Desk
AURORA, Ill. — Palatine Police Department leaders say a 19-year-old from their suburb faces felony terrorist-threat and weapons counts after he allegedly rolled into a Hindu house of worship parking lot here Sunday with a rifle that failed to fire, then fled.
Charging documents name Alexandros Paporakis. Chief William Nord said a red SUV tied to him pulled into the parking lot of the targeted temple in Aurora around midday Sunday and left inside about 15 minutes. A coworker tip about alarming messages brought police into the case that same day.
Prosecutors allege Paporakis later messaged a colleague that the weapon jammed and he bolted, then looked online for clearing tips and pledged another try. A home search turned up a ghost-gun-style AR platform, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds, body armor and writings outlining white-supremacist ideology and a planned massacre, Nord said.
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi said his family was at worship Sunday and that only the jam prevented a slaughter. He pressed federal officials to pursue hate-crime charges and restore security grants for religious sites. Temple leaders said they are adding armed guards.
A judge ordered Paporakis held pending an Oct. 30 hearing. Public defenders said the matter is early and that police claims remain allegations. Investigators said his mother was interviewed and is not cooperating.
Section: More Washington DC crime news
