A Texas mother faces terrorism charges after allegedly purchasing ammunition and tactical gear for her 13-year-old son who planned to commit “acts of mass violence” at his San Antonio middle school.
Key Takeaways
- Ashley Pardo, 33, was charged with aiding in terrorism after allegedly buying ammunition and tactical gear for her son, who planned violence at his middle school.
- The 13-year-old boy appeared at school wearing tactical gear before abruptly leaving; police later found him with materials referencing white supremacy and mass shootings.
- Law enforcement and school officials had previously warned Pardo about her son’s concerning behavior, but she allegedly dismissed these warnings.
- This case marks an early application of a 2023 Texas law creating a terrorism-related convictions registry, showing the growing trend of holding parents accountable for their children’s violent intentions.
- Pardo was released on a $75,000 bond and faces a pre-indictment hearing on July 17, while her son also faces terrorism charges.
Mother Allegedly Supported Son’s Violent Plans
According to police reports, Ashley Pardo, 33, purchased ammunition and tactical gear for her son with full knowledge that he intended to use these items to carry out an attack at Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio. Court documents reveal that Pardo allegedly compensated her son with these dangerous items in exchange for babysitting services, despite being aware of his violent intentions. The 13-year-old boy had openly expressed desires to commit mass violence at his school and had been researching mass shootings.
The situation escalated when the student appeared at school wearing tactical gear and a mask before abruptly leaving campus. School officials immediately alerted authorities, leading to a search that located the boy off school grounds. Following his apprehension, the teenager was charged with terrorism. A family member later contacted police after discovering the boy attempting to strike a live bullet with a hammer, which prompted a more thorough investigation into his activities and possessions.
Disturbing Evidence Discovered
When authorities searched the boy’s possessions, they found an alarming collection of items, including ammunition, tactical gear, and what appeared to be an improvised explosive device. The materials contained references to the Christchurch shooter and displayed white supremacy symbols. Nazi swastikas were also discovered in the family’s home. These findings painted a disturbing picture of a young person who had been methodically planning violence while being enabled by a parent who should have been protecting him and others.
“She appeared to be dismissive and unconcerned with her son’s behavior. Her behavior is not only dangerous, it’s abhorrent, especially as a parent,” said San Antonio Police Chief William P. McManus.
What makes this case particularly alarming is that both law enforcement and Child Protective Services had previously contacted Pardo with concerns about her son’s behavior. Reports indicate that the boy had made violent drawings and had been researching mass shootings, yet his mother allegedly dismissed these warnings. School officials reported that after the incident, they increased security and conducted a thorough sweep of the campus to ensure there were no additional threats to student safety.
New Legal Territory for Parental Accountability
This case represents a significant application of a 2023 Texas law authored by Republican State Senator Phil King, which established a specific terrorism charge and a state registry for such crimes. The law was designed to help law enforcement identify potential threats before they materialize into actual violence. Legal experts note that this case is unusual because no attack actually occurred, and it’s rare for a parent to face charges when no violence has taken place.
“[Laws] are headed in this direction… because of the tragic consequences that can ensue if a parent continues to neglect their responsibilities. What we’ve had in place so far clearly has not worked. We have to do something else because the consequences are so tragic and so dire,” said Michael Wynne, a criminal defense attorney.
The San Antonio case draws comparisons to the Michigan case involving Jennifer and James Crumbley, who are currently serving 10-year prison sentences for involuntary manslaughter after their son carried out a deadly school shooting. That precedent-setting case established that parents could be held criminally responsible for failing to prevent their child from accessing weapons. This Texas case appears to take parental accountability a step further by charging a mother for actively enabling potentially violent behavior.
School Response and Community Safety
Following the incident, Rhodes Middle School principal Felismina Martinez sent a message to parents addressing the situation and reassuring them of the school’s commitment to safety. The school administration emphasized that they take all potential threats seriously and act immediately to protect students and staff. The school’s prompt response in alerting authorities when the student appeared in tactical gear likely prevented what could have been a devastating attack.
“Please know we take all potential threats seriously and act immediately to protect everyone in our care. We will always remain vigilant to ensure our learning and working environment is safe and secure,” stated Felismina Martinez, the school’s principal.
While Pardo has been released on a $75,000 bond and awaits a pre-indictment hearing scheduled for July 17, her case serves as a stark warning to parents about their responsibility to monitor their children’s behavior and take appropriate action when warning signs appear. As schools across the nation continue to face threats of violence, this case highlights the critical role parents play in preventing tragedies and the severe consequences they may face if they enable or ignore their children’s dangerous behaviors.
