Lawmakers Press FBI For Hate Crime Probe Into Alleged Temple Attack

PALATINE, IL — U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and fellow lawmakers are pressing the FBI to investigate an alleged mass shooting plot involving a Palatine teenager as a potential federal hate crime, asking the agency to examine racial and religious bias and whether anyone helped facilitate the planned attack.

A letter announced Tuesday and signed by 105 members of Congress asks FBI Director Kash Patel for answers by Oct. 29 about the investigation and the bureau's response to credible threats against Indian Americans, Hindu Americans, Sikhs and other South Asian communities.

Krishnamoorthi said he and his family were worshipping at Aurora's Sri Venkateswara Swami, or Balaji, Hindu temple Oct. 11, when the alleged attack was attempted.

"The alleged combination of targeted racial hatred, a religious setting, and preparations for mass violence demands a comprehensive federal response," the lawmakers wrote.

"We appreciate the FBI's reported assistance to local investigators and urge the Bureau to ensure that potential hate-crime violations receive explicit attention."

Questions About Bias, Online Activity

The lawmakers asked whether the FBI is investigating the alleged plot as a potential federal hate crime, including both racial or ethnic bias and religious bias, and whether it is coordinating with federal civil rights prosecutors.

They also want investigators to examine whether the defendant used online platforms to communicate threats, select targets, obtain assistance or coordinate with others.

Additional questions focus on how the FBI distinguishes constitutionally protected speech from credible threats, shares information with local police and houses of worship, and provides protective resources to affected communities.

The letter also asks whether the bureau has adequate staffing, language expertise and analytical resources to assess threats involving anti-Indian, anti-Hindu and broader anti-South Asian bias.

Signers include Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, the entire Illinois House Democratic delegation and every Indian American member of Congress, according to Krishnamoorthi’s office. Sens. Andy Kim of New Jersey and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland also signed.

Palatine Teen Faces State Charges

Alexandros Paporakis, 19, of Palatine, faces state charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawfully possessing a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches.

As Patch previously reported, prosecutors allege Paporakis spent two years planning an attack and two months focused on a specific location.

Prosecutors said he told a coworker his rifle had jammed, discussed repairing it so he could try again and shared an eight-page manifesto expressing white supremacist and neo-Nazi beliefs.

A judge ordered him detained Oct. 14. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 30 in Rolling Meadows.

At an Oct. 15 law enforcement briefing, police confirmed that his SUV had spent approximately 13 minutes in an Aurora temple parking lot. Investigators said they had not independently confirmed whether the rifle malfunctioned or where a video showing a possible malfunction was recorded.

The FBI said it had been assisting local investigators since Oct. 11. The congressional letter seeks explicit consideration of potential federal hate crime violations.

Letter Follows Public Call For Investigation

Krishnamoorthi called for a hate crime investigation at a Chicago news conference Friday, describing attending temple celebrations with his elderly parents and urging public officials to condemn hatred.

Krishnamoorthi, a Schaumburg Democrat, has represented Illinois' 8th District since 2017. His fifth term ends Jan. 3, 2027. He sought the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin rather than House reelection, but lost the Democratic primary to Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. He previously served as Illinois deputy treasurer and a special assistant attorney general. Born in India and raised in Peoria, he graduated from Princeton and Harvard Law School.

Tuesday's letter also raised concerns about online hostility toward South Asians and criticized Trump administration social media messaging that the lawmakers said risks legitimizing racial and religious stereotypes.

"Federal agencies should make clear that debates over immigration or public safety never justify collective suspicion of Indian, Sikh, Hindu, or other South Asian communities," they wrote.

The lawmakers requested answers to the extent consistent with the ongoing investigation.

"No one should fear being targeted because of their ancestry, appearance, or faith, and no congregation should have to wonder whether gathering for worship will make its members targets of mass violence," the letter states.

Past Coverage:

• Teen Planned Temple Attack For 2 Years, Wanted To ‘Retry’: Prosecutors
• Rifle Jammed As Teen ‘Was Waiting To Commit A Massacre’ At Hindu Temple: Krishnamoorthi
• Mass Shooting Plot At Hindu Temple Thwarted After Coworker Warns Police: FBI