Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has publicly recounted how a suspected white supremacist allegedly waited outside a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, armed with an AR-style rifle and approximately 300 rounds of ammunition, while his elderly parents prayed inside on the first day of Navaratri, 11 October — and has now pressed FBI Director Kash Patel to formally treat the incident as a potential federal hate crime, as a deadline set by 105 lawmakers for the bureau's response arrived on 29 October.

A Personal Account From the Congressman

Writing in an op-ed published in the Chicago Tribune, Krishnamoorthi described the scene in striking personal terms. 'On Oct. 11, the first day of Navaratri, my family and I were worshipping at our Hindu temple in Aurora,' he wrote. 'My 80-year-old mother and 87-year-old father were singing Hindu prayers to celebrate one of the most important holidays of our faith.'

According to prosecutors cited in the op-ed, the 19-year-old suspect attempted to fire at a passerby outside the temple, but his rifle jammed. He subsequently told a coworker he intended to return — that coworker alerted police, and officers from the Palatine and Mount Prospect police departments arrested the suspect before he could carry out a second attempt. 'I cannot explain why the rifle jammed, but I consider it nothing short of a miracle,' Krishnamoorthi wrote. 'That malfunction saved countless lives, including those of my own family.'

Suspect's Manifesto and Charges

Court documents cited in the op-ed reveal the suspect's manifesto described Indian, Jewish, and Black people as 'subhumans'. He reportedly described himself as a 'sociopathic white supremacist neo-Nazi filled with hatred.' As of the time of reporting, the suspect faces only state charges; no federal charges have been announced. His next court appearance is scheduled for 30 October.

A Documented Surge in Anti-Indian Hatred

Krishnamoorthi argued the attempted attack did not occur in a vacuum. He cited a study released in September that reportedly found monthly posts of anti-South Asian hate on X rose 240 per cent between January 2024 and June 2026. He also referenced findings from Stop AAPI Hate that 48 per cent of South Asian adults experienced a race-based hate act in 2025.

The Congressman pointed to a series of incidents he said reflected a broader climate of hostility: Republican candidate Bo French circulating photographs of South Asian students at the University of Texas; a podcast titled 'The Indian Question' in which conservative activist Christopher Rufo and Jonathan Keeperman discussed whether Indian Americans could assimilate; and far-right activist Jake Lang, who told a Frisco, Texas, City Council meeting: 'The Hindus and the Muslims are teaming up to take over Texas.'

Notably, Krishnamoorthi also named a Department of Homeland Security deportation graphic that depicted a man labelled 'Mr Singh' as a villain, and Palm Bay, Florida, City Councillman Chandler Langevin, who publicly demanded the government 'deport every Indian immediately' and later wrote to Krishnamoorthi: 'I won Rajesh. Take your curry and go home.'

What Krishnamoorthi Is Demanding From the FBI

In his op-ed, the Congressman laid out three specific demands for FBI Director Kash Patel: investigate the Aurora attempted attack as a potential federal hate crime; disaggregate hate-crime data to specifically track anti-Indian incidents; and redirect more bureau resources toward combating domestic violent extremism rather than what he called 'fruitless election-fraud investigations.' He also urged Congress to close loopholes that, in his view, shield major technology platforms from accountability for hosting hate content.

Krishnamoorthi had earlier led a coalition of 105 lawmakers — including every Indian American member of Congress — in writing to Patel demanding a written response by 29 October. As of the time of publication, no public reply from the FBI has emerged.

What Comes Next

The suspect's next court appearance on 30 October will be closely watched for any indication of escalating charges. The absence of an FBI reply by the congressionally-set deadline is itself likely to intensify pressure on the bureau. Krishnamoorthi closed his appeal with a call for cross-community solidarity: 'No community can defeat bigotry on its own. We must stand against antisemitism, anti-Black racism and hatred directed at Muslims, Latinos and every other community, just as we ask our fellow Americans to stand with us.'