News Summary
A San Antonio mother, Ashley Pardo, was arrested for allegedly assisting her 13-year-old son in planning school violence by purchasing ammunition and tactical gear. This follows concerning incidents at Harris Middle School, where an 11-year-old was arrested for bringing a firearm. Pardo’s son has shown alarming behavior, including expressing interest in mass shootings and possessing troubling materials. The situation has sparked discussions on school safety and parental influence over youth behavior, leading to heightened community concerns about student security.
San Antonio Mother Arrested for Allegedly Aiding Son in Planned School Violence
San Antonio, TX – A mother in San Antonio has been arrested on charges of aiding her son, who has exhibited alarming behavior suggesting potential violence at school. Ashley Pardo, 33, is accused of purchasing ammunition and tactical gear for her 13-year-old son, who is under investigation for significant threats related to mass shootings. This incident reflects growing concerns over school safety and the influence of parental involvement in youth behavior.
The troubling events began when an 11-year-old student was arrested for bringing a firearm to Harris Middle School. According to the North East Independent School District (NEISD), another student alerted school officials about the weapon. The young boy claimed he had received the gun from someone to hold but stated he did not have any harmful intentions. He was charged with possessing a weapon in a prohibited place, highlighting the ongoing challenges schools face in maintaining safe environments.
Principal Walonda Whitaker noted the importance of ensuring a secure school setting amid these alarming incidents. The situation is particularly concerning considering the 11-year-old’s history of troubling behavior leading up to his arrest. Meanwhile, the case against Pardo escalated the seriousness of the situation regarding youth violence in schools.
Pardo’s son had previously displayed deep, concerning interests in mass shootings, as evidenced by his research and drawings related to past violent events. In January, school staff discovered a drawing labeled “suicide route,” complete with a map of the school and imagery of firearms. Later, in April, he faced suspension for searching the Christchurch mosque shootings online. Following these incidents, the boy attempted suicide, prompting his grandmother to inform law enforcement after catching him with live ammunition.
Authorities conducted an investigation and discovered a homemade explosive device within the child’s bedroom, alongside materials linked to white supremacist ideology. Alarmingly, Pardo reportedly supported her son’s violent rhetoric, exacerbating the fear surrounding his behavior. After returning to school, the boy was seen wearing tactical clothing and a mask and was subsequently detained shortly after he arrived on campus. He now faces charges of terrorism due to the seriousness of his actions and threats.
Pardo was arrested and charged with aiding in terrorism, particularly since she was aware of her son’s troubling fascination with mass violence. Following her arrest, she was released on a $75,000 bond but is restricted from possessing firearms or explosives while awaiting her next court appearance scheduled for July 17.
The developments surrounding both the 11-year-old and Pardo’s son have led to widespread concern among parents regarding the safety of their children in schools. The incidents have ignited discussions about the rising risks of youth violence and the importance of monitoring children’s behavior, internet use, and influences from home. Schools and law enforcement agencies continue working to address these critical issues to ensure the safety of students and staff alike.
As the investigations unfold, community members and school officials are urging vigilance and communication to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The commitment to a secure educational environment is more crucial now than ever, as authorities seek to address the underlying issues contributing to the increasing concerns regarding student safety.
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Additional Resources
- CNN: Texas Mom Arrest
- Wikipedia: School Violence
- News4SanAntonio: Boy Arrested for Gun
- Google Search: 11-year-old Arrested Texas School
- New York Times: Texas Mom Arrested
- Google Scholar: Youth Violence in Schools
- KENS5: Terroristic Threats in San Antonio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Safety Measures
- ABC News: Mother Buys Ammunition for Son
- Google News: Texas Mom Arrested for Planning Shooting
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
