A San Antonio mother faces terrorism charges after buying ammunition and tactical gear for her 13-year-old son’s planned school attack, showcasing a horrifying case of parental complicity in potential mass violence.
Key Takeaways
- Ashley Pardo, 33, purchased ammunition and tactical gear for her son who had explicit plans to commit violence at Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio.
- The 13-year-old arrived at school wearing tactical gear and a mask before leaving campus, later being apprehended and charged with terrorism.
- Family members discovered disturbing evidence including an improvised explosive device, Nazi swastikas, and references to mass shootings at the boy’s home.
- Despite prior warnings from law enforcement, school officials, and Child Protective Services about her son’s concerning behavior, Pardo allegedly remained dismissive and continued enabling him.
- Pardo is being charged under a new Texas law specifically designed to combat domestic terrorism, marking a significant development in holding parents accountable for their children’s violent plans.
Mother’s Role in Facilitating a Potential School Attack
Ashley Pardo stands accused of directly supporting her son’s plans for mass violence at Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio. According to police reports, the 33-year-old mother purchased ammunition and tactical gear for her teenage son despite being fully aware of his disturbing interests and violent intentions. Court documents reveal that these items were acquired “with knowledge” they would be “used to plan and carry out” what police described as “acts of mass violence,” demonstrating a shocking level of parental complicity in what could have become a devastating school attack.
The incident unfolded when the 13-year-old arrived at his middle school wearing tactical gear and a mask, raising immediate alarm among school officials. The student quickly left campus but was later located and taken into custody by law enforcement. The situation escalated further when a family member—reportedly the boy’s grandmother—contacted authorities after discovering the teenager hammering a live bullet, leading to the discovery of a disturbing collection of items including an improvised explosive device that referenced the Christchurch shooter and contained white supremacist symbols.
Ignored Warnings and Pattern of Neglect
Perhaps most disturbing in this case is the repeated pattern of ignored warnings. Law enforcement, school officials, and Child Protective Services had previously flagged concerns about the boy’s behavior to his mother. These warnings included reports about the teenager making violent drawings and actively researching mass shootings. Despite these clear red flags, Pardo allegedly remained unconcerned and continued to facilitate her son’s dangerous interests by providing him with ammunition and tactical gear in exchange for babysitting services.
“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.
According to police reports, a search of Pardo’s home revealed additional disturbing items, including Nazi swastikas and other white supremacist materials. The shocking disregard for her parental responsibility has drawn comparisons to the high-profile Michigan case of Jennifer and James Crumbley, who were sentenced to 10 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter after their son carried out a deadly school shooting. While no attack occurred in this San Antonio case, experts note it’s rare for a parent to face such serious charges when violence was prevented.
New Texas Law Addressing Domestic Terrorism
Pardo’s case marks one of the first applications of a new Texas law enacted in 2023 specifically designed to combat domestic terrorism. The legislation, authored by Republican state Senator Phil King, created both a specific terrorism charge and a state registry for such convictions to help law enforcement identify potential threats. This case represents a significant step toward holding parents accountable when they neglect their responsibilities regarding children who display clear warning signs of potential violence.
“What we’ve had in place so far 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 discussing how laws “are headed in this direction … because of the tragic consequences that can ensue if a parent continues to neglect their responsibilities,” stated The Independent.
Released on a $75,000 bond, Pardo faces a pre-indictment hearing scheduled for July 17. Following the incident, Rhodes Middle School increased security measures and conducted thorough sweeps for potential threats, with the principal assuring parents of the school’s commitment to safety. This case serves as a stark reminder that parental accountability must be part of any comprehensive approach to preventing school violence—a principle that President Trump’s administration has consistently championed through stronger security measures and mental health support in our schools.
