Texas mother charged with purchasing ammunition and tactical equipment for her son’s planned middle school shooting.
A mother in Texas has been apprehended following allegations that she facilitated her son’s intentions to carry out a violent act at his middle school by purchasing live ammunition and tactical gear. This troubling incident involves a young boy who had evidently been planning an attack at Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio.
The accused, 33-year-old Ashley Pardo, reportedly demonstrated awareness of her son’s troubling interests, which included a fascination with past mass shooters. According to local reports, she allegedly expressed support for her son’s violent expressions and drawings. Concerns from school officials emerged earlier this year when Pardo was informed that her son had drawn a map of the school alongside the phrase “suicide route,” in addition to an illustration of a firearm.
In April, the youth was suspended from school for researching the tragic 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting, which resulted in 51 fatalities. The investigation intensified when the boy’s grandmother discovered him allegedly attempting to modify a live bullet using a hammer. Upon inquiring about the origin of the bullet, the boy claimed it had been given to him by Pardo.
Investigating officers were alerted after the grandmother examined the boy’s room, where she reportedly found magazines containing live ammunition, an explosive device along with a target’s name noted, symbols of white supremacy, and references to previous mass shooting events. Additionally, the grandmother indicated that Pardo had taken the boy to a surplus store to purchase a tactical vest, helmet, and other related items.
Pardo contended that her gifts to her son were intended as rewards for babysitting his younger siblings and maintained that she did not harbor concerns regarding his behavior. On Monday, both Pardo and her son were arrested. The boy faces charges of terrorism, while Pardo has been charged with aiding and abetting in the commission of terrorism.
In a letter to parents, the principal of Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School, Felismina Martinez, emphasized that the institution is committed to taking all potential threats seriously, stating a pledge to ensure a secure learning environment for students and staff. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding youth violence and the responsibilities of guardians in addressing and mitigating such alarming behaviors.
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