Officials: Trans neo-Nazi accused of plotting Hindu temple massacre to undergo hormone therapy in prison

A 19-year-old transgender accused of being a neo-Nazi planned to attack a Hindu temple, but the gun malfunctioned and a tip from his colleague led to his arrest.

A 19-year-old transgender man who authorities say identified as a neo-Nazi allegedly planned a mass shooting at a Hindu temple outside Chicago, but a tip from a co-worker helped authorities thwart the attack, police said.

Alexandros Papourakis, of Palatine, was arrested Sunday after planning to open fire at a Hindu temple in the Chicago suburb of Aurora, Palatine police announced at a press conference Thursday.

Papourakis faces one count of terroristic threats and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to NBC Chicago, a Cook County judge ordered Papourakis held without bond and ordered prison health care, saying the teenager is receiving hormone injections for gender reassignment and is being treated for ADHD, depression and anxiety.

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Alexandros Papourakis, of Palatine, was arrested Sunday after being charged with shooting up a Hindu temple in Aurora. (Palatine Police Department)

Prosecutors allege Papourakis drove to the Hindu temple in Aurora with a modified rifle and about 300 rounds of ammunition and equipped with body armor and other tactical gear. Authorities said Papourakis intended to shoot, but returned home after the gun malfunctioned.

After returning home, the suspect searched the Internet and tried to learn how to unlock the gun, police said.

Papourakis' co-workers at Taco Bell reported to Mount Prospect police that they had received a suspicious text from Papourakis that day, which led police to obtain a search warrant and arrest Papourakis before the suspect returned to the scene to carry out the alleged attack.

Officials praised those who reported the threat and encouraged others who come across anything suspicious to report it to law enforcement.

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Officials praised the information and encouraged others who come across anything suspicious to report it to law enforcement. (Google Maps)

Lucas Rotar said at a press conference on Thursday: "I want to commend and thank the person who stepped forward in many successful disruptions by law enforcement and potential acts of violence or terrorist attacks. This is a single, brave member of the public who steps up to prevent attacks."

After receiving a tip, police said they located a red Acura registered to Papourakis. Surveillance video showed the suspect in the car entering the Hindu Temple parking lot at 12:25 p.m. before leaving a few minutes later

Papourakis was later seen driving to a residence on Rand Road in Palatine that he shares with the suspect's mother. Police executed a search warrant and found Papourakis in possession of a rifle, a loaded magazine, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and other tactical equipment.

Police also found what they described as an eight-page manifesto that authorities said detailed the alleged assault and Papourakis' white supremacist views.

According to police, the writings "expressed hate, violence, racial superiority, and mass shootings of Indian people. [Papourakis'] hatred was against Jews, African-Americans, Indians, and 'non-white' people. Papourakis described them as "despicable" and intended to kill as many of them as possible.

Police said the suspect "exulted in calling himself a sociopathic, hate-filled white supremacist neo-Nazi and fantasized about massacres almost every day."

The manifesto also refers to Papourakis as the "Aurora Shooter".

A judge ruled that Papourakis will remain in jail, and the next court hearing is scheduled for October 30.

The temple said it was aware of the recent security threat and had beefed up security.

"Please know that the safety of our veterans, staff and volunteers is our highest priority and we have immediately implemented additional security measures, including an increased armed security presence at the temple and additional measures to ensure a continued safe environment for everyone at the temple," the temple said in a message on its website.

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