Trans teen accused of Hindu temple attack plot to receive hormone shots in jail

A 19-year-old transgender man accused of plotting a racially motivated mass shooting at a Hindu temple near Chicago will continue receiving hormone treatments for gender transition while in custody, following a court order allowing his detention without bail. Alexandros Paporakis, from Palatine, Illinois, appeared in court earlier this week, where a judge also addressed his medical care. Paporakis is being treated for ADHD, depression, and anxiety, along with receiving hormone injections, according to NBC Chicago. The ruling followed his arrest days earlier over an alleged plan to attack a Hindu temple in Aurora, a suburb of Chicago. According to prosecutors, Paporakis told colleagues he “could not wait to kill Indian people” and described himself as a white supremacist. He was arrested after a co-worker informed police about suspicious communications. These messages reportedly included an eight-page document detailing an alleged mass-shooting plan and photographs of a rifle, ammunition magazines, and tactical equipment. Police said Paporakis drove to a large Hindu temple in Aurora around noon on Sunday, intending to open fire. Surveillance footage reportedly showed his vehicle entering the parking lot before leaving shortly afterward. Investigators stated that his rifle malfunctioned, preventing the attack from proceeding as planned. Paporakis then returned home, searched online for instructions on fixing the jammed weapon, and contacted a co-worker about his intention to carry out a mass shooting. The co-worker alerted police, who obtained a search warrant and arrested Paporakis before he could allegedly return to the temple. FBI Chicago acting special agent in charge Lucas Rothaar praised the informant, stating that the public remains law enforcement's greatest asset in preventing violent acts. During a press conference, Rothaar thanked the individual who came forward. A search of Paporakis’ home uncovered an AR-style rifle, a loaded magazine, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and tactical equipment. Investigators also found an eight-page manifesto that allegedly expressed hatred toward Indians, Jews, Black people, and other non-white communities, alongside white supremacist and Nazi imagery. Prosecutors said Paporakis had told co-workers he “could not wait to kill Indian people.” The alleged plot has raised concerns within the Hindu American and Indian-origin communities. Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi said he and his family were at the Aurora temple on Sunday, the same day authorities believe Paporakis intended to carry out the attack. “The threat of such violence shows how dangerous anti-Indian hatred and white supremacy have become,” Krishnamoorthi said, urging that threats be taken seriously before anyone is harmed. The temple emphasized the safety of its devotees, employees, and volunteers as its top priority and announced enhanced security measures, including an increased armed-security presence. Paporakis faces felony charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawfully possessing a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches. A judge ordered him held without bail on Wednesday and issued an order regarding his healthcare in custody, including hormone injections for gender transition. He is scheduled to appear in court again on October 30. Authorities in India expressed concern over the rising levels of racial hostility and anti-India sentiment in the United States. The Indian Consulate in Chicago acknowledged the timely actions of U.S. authorities and confirmed it was in contact with members of the Indian community, monitoring the situation closely. The incident coincides with a period of heightened online hate against South Asians in the U.S., with a 240% increase in such hostility between January 2024 and June 2026, according to a study by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate. Over half a million posts with racist, dehumanizing, and xenophobic content targeting South Asians appeared on social media platforms between January 2025 and June 2026, per the study. Paporakis was arrested after allegedly driving to a Hindu temple in Aurora, attempting to open fire, but his rifle jammed. He then returned home, searched for ways to fix the weapon, and contacted a co-worker about his plans. The co-worker alerted police, who arrested him before he could return to the temple. During a search of his home, police found a rifle, loaded magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, tactical equipment, and a document titled “Why I Fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto).” This document expressed white supremacist and extremist ideologies, including references to violence against individuals of South Asian heritage, particularly those of Indian descent. Paporakis faces one felony count of making a terrorist threat and one felony count of unlawful possession of a weapon. A Cook County judge ordered him held without bond and ensured that he receives hormone injections for gender transition while in custody. Authorities praised the coworker who reported the threat and urged others to do the same if they encounter suspicious activity.