WASHINGTON, October 17 (ANI) — U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi became emotional as he recalled an attempted mass shooting targeting Indian Americans at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois. He said the gunman’s weapon jammed and his family, who were present at the temple, escaped.
A 19-year-old man identified as Alexandros Paporakis was arrested on allegations of making a terrorist threat and unlawfully possessing a weapon after allegedly plotting a mass shooting targeting the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora, near Chicago.
Recalling the incident, Krishnamoorthi said, “I don’t know how the shooter’s gun jammed. I don’t know how my family & others escaped. I don’t know how I happened to be there, but I believe that one purpose was so I could be here, and I could speak out about hate, and that has become one of my life’s missions.”
Earlier, in a post on X, Krishnamoorthi called for collective action against anti-Indian hatred and white supremacy. He also expressed gratitude to those who alerted police and helped prevent a potential tragedy.
“My family and I were worshipping at our Hindu temple in Aurora on Sunday when a white supremacist attempted a mass shooting targeting Indian Americans. I’m grateful to those who helped prevent a tragedy, but we must come together to confront the hatred that put so many innocent lives at risk,” he said.
The congressman described the alleged plot as deeply disturbing and warned against ignoring threats of hate-motivated violence.
“I am horrified that a white supremacist attempted to carry out a mass shooting targeting Indian Americans at the Hindu temple in Aurora where my family worships. My family and I were there when the attack was attempted last Sunday,” Krishnamoorthi said.
He thanked the suspect’s coworkers for alerting law enforcement and commended the officers who intervened.
On Friday, U.S. India Caucus co-chairs Ro Khanna and Rich McCormick condemned the attempted mass shooting and urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to act against what they described as “growing threats and hostility directed at Hindu Americans and Indian Americans.”
Khanna and McCormick called on the DOJ and FBI to investigate the case as “a potential federal hate crime and bring all charges supported by the evidence.” They also urged authorities to determine whether anyone had encouraged, assisted or coordinated with the defendant, either online or offline.
India has also expressed deep concern over the incident.
Addressing a media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “This is obviously a matter of deep concern for us. At the same time, it is something that shows or highlights the increasing cases of hate crimes and racial discrimination against the Indian communities in the United States.”
Jaiswal added, “We have taken note of the action that the US law enforcement authorities have undertaken once this incident happened, but we call on the United States side to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals in the country.” (ANI)
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