A bipartisan group of 105 lawmakers, led by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, has called for a federal investigation into an attempted shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, as a potential hate crime, highlighting rising concerns over anti-South Asian sentiment.
WASHINGTON—In a significant show of bipartisan concern, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) is spearheading a coalition of 105 lawmakers urging the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to investigate an alleged attempted mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, as a potential federal hate crime. The incident in question occurred on October 11 at the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Hindu Temple, where Krishnamoorthi and his family were present during the attempted attack.
In a letter addressed to FBI Director Kash Patel, the lawmakers expressed their alarm over the incident and called for a thorough investigation into the events surrounding the attempted shooting, along with the FBI’s efforts to identify and address credible online threats against Indian Americans, Hindu Americans, Sikhs, and other South Asian communities. The letter included signatures from the entire Illinois House Democratic delegation, every Indian American member of Congress, and notable senators such as Dick Durbin, Tammy Duckworth, Andy Kim, and Chris Van Hollen.
Details of the Attempted Shooting
According to local prosecutors, 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis, who reportedly identified himself as a neo-Nazi, attempted to shoot an individual outside the temple. However, his rifle malfunctioned, preventing the attack from being executed. Following the incident, Paporakis fled the scene and later communicated plans to return, which led a coworker to alert law enforcement. Authorities apprehended him later that day.
Prosecutors allege that Paporakis had authored an eight-page manifesto promoting white supremacist views, which included incitements to violence against individuals of Indian descent within a religious context. Investigators reportedly discovered a rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, body armor, and various materials featuring white supremacist imagery during their search of his residence.
Concerns Over Racial Hatred and Online Hostility
The lawmakers emphasized that the alleged combination of racial hatred, a religious setting, and preparations for mass violence necessitates federal scrutiny. In their letter, they noted, “The alleged combination of targeted racial hatred, a religious setting, and preparations for mass violence demands a comprehensive federal response.” They acknowledged the FBI’s assistance to local investigators and urged the Bureau to ensure that potential hate-crime violations receive explicit attention.
This congressional initiative occurs amid escalating concerns over online hostility directed at South Asian communities across the United States. A report released in September 2026 identified over 542,000 hateful posts targeting South Asians on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) between January 2025 and June 2026. Notably, the report indicated that monthly volumes of such posts surged by approximately 240% during this period.
Additionally, a survey conducted by the Carnegie Endowment found that nearly half (48%) of Indian American respondents had experienced racist online posts targeting their community since the beginning of 2025. Alarmingly, one in four individuals reported having been subjected to racial slurs.
Criticism of Government Messaging
The lawmakers also criticized messaging from the previous Trump administration, arguing that it risks reinforcing racial and religious stereotypes. They cited instances such as a Department of Homeland Security social media post depicting a Sikh man alongside the derogatory statement, “Get off our roads, you don’t know how to drive Mr. Singh.”
Another example referenced was a Department of Education post that stated, “Make College Football Great Again,” following a Texas Republican’s complaint about the presence of South Asians at a University of Texas football game. The lawmakers asserted, “We believe such messaging risks lending governmental legitimacy to racial and religious stereotyping,” calling for federal agencies to clarify that debates over immigration and public safety should not justify collective suspicion of Indian, Sikh, Hindu, or other South Asian communities.
Questions Raised and Request for Transparency
The congressional letter concludes with a request for a written response from the FBI by October 29, 2026, addressing five specific inquiries related to the ongoing investigation. The questions focus on the following areas:
- Whether the FBI is treating the alleged Aurora-area plot as a federal hate crime and if the inquiry examines both racial/ethnic and religious bias.
- Investigations into online activities that may have facilitated the plot, including communications and potential accomplices.
- Measures the FBI is taking to monitor credible threats against South Asian communities while respecting First Amendment rights.
- Information-sharing mechanisms with state and local law enforcement regarding actionable threats toward religious institutions.
- The adequacy of FBI resources in addressing threats involving anti-Indian, anti-Hindu, and broader anti-South Asian bias.
The lawmakers underlined the importance of protecting constitutional rights while ensuring that all applicable offenses are thoroughly investigated. They concluded their letter with a call for increased transparency and reassurances for communities concerned about targeted violence, stating, “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 full letter detailing their concerns and requests has been made publicly available, representing a coordinated congressional effort to ensure federal authorities examine the attack, assess potential biases, and clarify the measures being taken to safeguard South Asian communities and places of worship.
