Jammed rifle prevented an apparent mass murder plot at worship center in Aurora

The man police say was behind a violent plot targeting a suburban worship center is young and looks even younger, and now he’s behind bars.

Alexandros Paporakis is 19 and works as a cashier at a fast-food restaurant. According to police in his northwest suburban hometown of Palatine, Paporakis had plotted to carry out a “mass shooting of Indian people” at a Hindu temple in Aurora, where they say he drove last Sunday decked out for war.

Authorities say the 19-year-old was one malfunctioning rifle away from becoming a mass shooter.

His alleged target was the largest Hindu temple in southwest suburban Aurora. On Sunday the sprawling place of worship was filled with people and filled with joy-when police say a young man showed up “to kill a significant number of Indians,” police say.

But fate had a different outcome in mind for Paporakis, according to a newly filed court record.

Read more: NBC Chicago