Community Advisory: Thwarted Terror Attack on Illinois Hindu Temple Highlights Rising Anti-Hindu Hate — Temple Security Training and Safety Guidance for Festival Season 

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“He was certainly saved by his God today”, texted 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis, a self proclaimed Neo-Nazi of Palatine, Illinois, after his assault rifle jammed, while he attempted a terror attack targeting Hindu worshippers at the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora, a major Hindu temple near Chicago.⁠

On October 11, 2026, on the first day of Navratri, as thousands thronged to celebrated Durga Puja, Paporakis drove from his mother’s home in Palatine to the temple armed with a modified AR-style rifle, roughly 300 rounds of ammunition, body armor, and other tactical items. He entered the temple parking lot around 12:25 p.m., attempted to open fire (reportedly targeting a man from his car), but the rifle jammed. He then fled, returned home, searched online for ways to clear the jam, and contacted a Taco Bell coworker to disclose his intent to carry out a mass shooting of Indian people.⁠

The coworker alerted authorities, leading to Paporakis’s arrest, and a major terror attack was averted.

Police recovered the rifle (no serial number), ammunition, tactical gear, Nazi-related items, and an eight-page manifesto titled “Why I Fought: A.K.A. (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto).” COPY OF THE CHARGESHEET BELOW 

Training Temple Safety Volunteers

In order to better prepare our temples for the future, HinduACTion is partnering with a prominent consultancy comprising retired counter-terrorism experts from NYPD with specialization in high-level security operations, intelligence, and cyber investigation.  Email below for more details

Documenting and Responding to Anti-Hindu Bigotry and Hate

Hindus in the United States continue to face targeted hate, vandalism, threats, online harassment, and physical attacks. HinduACTion is tracking these incidents to build response mechanisms in support of our communities, and advocate for better protections (including through the introduction of Congressional resolutions addressing anti-Hindu hate, ie, H. Res 69 in the 119th Congress and H. Res 1131 in the 118th Congress)

To help create a database and coordinated response against anti-Hindu hate and Hinduphobia, report incidents (non-emergencies) at:

https://www.hindu-action.org/report

(For emergencies, always dial 911 first.) Documenting these cases strengthens advocacy, law-enforcement awareness, and community preparedness.

Navratri/Durga Puja and Deepawali Safety Checklist (Five Actions)

If you are participating in celebrations at your community center or temple, take these practical steps:

1. Practice situational awareness and report suspicious activity immediately. Note unusual behavior, vehicles lingering in parking areas, or individuals carrying unusual gear. Alert temple security or call 911 without delay—exactly as the Taco Bell coworker’s tip helped stop the Aurora plot.
2. Share your plans and live location with family or friends. Tell someone when you are leaving for and returning from events, especially evening garba/dandiya or crowded temple visits. Use phone location-sharing features.
3. Follow and support temple security protocols. Comply with bag checks, metal detection, or restricted entry rules. Encourage organizers to maintain increased security, lighting, CCTV, and clear emergency exits during high-attendance days.
4. Report hate incidents and stay informed. Use the HinduACTion form (https://www.hindu-action.org/report) for non-emergency documentation of threats, vandalism, or online harassment. Monitor local community alerts and official temple communications.
5. Coordinate group travel and have an exit plan. Attend with others when possible, identify multiple exits and assembly points in advance, and agree on a communication method if networks are disrupted or a situation arises.

These measures allow communities to continue celebrating Navratri safely while remaining vigilant. The Aurora case shows that preparation and prompt reporting can prevent attacks.

Again, we remind you to immediately report criminal activity to law enforcement by calling 9-1-1. Non-urgent incidents can also be securely reported to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or online at http://tips.fbi.gov  Tips can remain anonymous.



Please share this memo with your networks as appropriate. Stay safe and may the festival proceed in peace.

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