Texas Mother Charged With Buying 13-Year-Old Son Ammo and Tactical Gear for Planned School Shooting
A San Antonio, Texas mother was arrested this week for allegedly helping her troubled 13-year-old son with a planned school shooting by buying him ammunition, magazines and tactical gear. Her son was also arrested. The boy had been suspended in April and was allowed back in class just last week after having been caught researching mass shootings.
Ashley Pardo, 33, was arrested Monday on charges of aiding in commission of terrorism by allegedly buying weaponry for her son, knowing that he was fixated on shooting up his middle school. The son, whose name has not been released, was arrested and charged with terrorism Monday after showing up at school “wearing a mask, camouflage jacket and tactical pants” before leaving, sparking a police response and security sweep. He was found and arrested away from the school. It has not been revealed by police whether or not he was armed.
Ashley Pardo is out on $75,000 bond with a July 17 court appearance, while her son is being held in custody.
CBS News reported the mother bought her son the weaponry for babysitting his younger siblings (excerpt):
A Texas mother was arrested this week on allegations she purchased ammunition and tactical gear for her son, who authorities said was planning “mass targeted violence” at a San Antonio school, according to an affidavit obtained by CBS News.
Ashley Pardo, 33, was arrested Monday on one count of aiding in the commission of terrorism after tactical gear and ammunition were found at her home, which authorities said she purchased for her son in exchange for babysitting his younger siblings, according to the arrest affidavit issued by Bexar County Magistrate Court.
Pardo “intentionally and knowingly aided” her son, San Antonio police wrote in the affidavit.
Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio posted a copy of a letter to parents about the arrest of the student:
KSAT-TV reported another family member tipped off police last Sunday (excerpt):
On Sunday, a day before, a family member contacted SAPD about items found in the possession of Pardo‘s son, including a rifle and pistol ammunition, black tactical gear and an improvised explosive device made from a mortar-style firework.
The family member also stated they found three loaded magazines and a note that had several names of mass shooters written on it. Some of the items were inscribed with “14 words” and “SS” symbols – references to white supremacy language and previous mass shootings, detectives said.
Pardo had previously been approached about her son’s behavior by local law enforcement, child protective services and school officials, police said.
Pardo “expressed to the school her support of (her son’s) violent expressions and drawings and does not feel concerned for his behavior,” the affidavit states.
In January, the school became aware of drawings made by Pardo‘s son that featured the school’s name written beside a rifle and a map of the campus labeled “suicide route,” according to authorities. There were timestamps written on the drawing.
Pardo‘s son was suspended in April after it was discovered he was researching the 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting on a school-issued computer. He had “described a fascination with past mass shooters,” the affidavit states.
The student attended an alternative school until he returned to Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School on May 8. At that point, school officials implemented a safety plan in fear of potential violence.
More from KTSA-TV (excerpt):
In May, the child was back on campus, and Chief McManus says he was found to be hitting a live bullet with a hammer. This was reported to police by a relative who also said Pardo had purchased the bullet.
It is unclear if the child, whose name is not being released due to his age, was armed when he went to school Monday. He remains in custody at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center.
Chief McManus says this is the first time someone has been charged with terrorism in Bexar County.
Video of Thursday’s press briefing by San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, posted by KSAT:
Full size image of booking photo shows neck tattoos:
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