News Summary
Ashley Pardo, a 33-year-old mother from San Antonio, has been arrested for allegedly aiding her son’s plan to carry out a mass school attack. Authorities charged her with aiding in terrorism after she reportedly purchased ammunition and tactical gear for him. Despite warnings regarding her son’s troubling behavior, Pardo downplayed the severity of the situation. The arrest follows alarming discoveries made by family members and school officials, underscoring a community’s fears about potential violence at a local middle school. Pardo’s legal troubles are just beginning as she awaits her next court appearance.
San Antonio, Texas – Ashley Pardo, a 33-year-old mother, has been arrested for allegedly assisting her son in a plan to execute a mass school attack. Pardo was taken into custody on May 12, with authorities charging her with aiding in the commission of terrorism. Investigators contend that she knowingly purchased ammunition and tactical gear for her son, who had expressed intentions related to carrying out an attack at Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio.
The arrest affidavit indicates that Pardo’s actions contributed to a heightened sense of fear regarding potential serious bodily injury at the school. Despite being cautioned by local authorities and school personnel about her son’s troubling behavior and expressed desires for “mass targeted violence,” Pardo reportedly downplayed these concerns. She conveyed to the school that she found her son’s conduct unalarming.
Pardo’s involvement reportedly included trading the ammunition and tactical gear for babysitting services related to her younger children. This exchange illustrated her “intentional and knowing” support of her son’s violent urges, as cited by authorities. The affidavit notes that there were observable signs of the boy’s disturbing behavior. On the day of the arrest, he was spotted at school wearing a mask, a camouflage jacket, and tactical pants before leaving shortly after.
Previous incidents of concerning behavior had also been noted by school officials and law enforcement. These included alarming drawings made by the boy, showcasing a “suicide route” map along with violent imagery associated with his school. Additionally, he had been suspended in the past for researching the Christchurch mosque shootings on a school-issued computer, raising further alarm among his educators and community members.
Compounding the situation was a family member’s discovery of unsettling items in the boy’s room. His grandmother reported finding live ammunition, tactical gear, and an improvised explosive device created from a mortar-style firework. This device was accompanied by a note referencing Brenton Tarrant, the shooter responsible for the Christchurch mosque attacks. The homemade explosive device also contained inscriptions tied to white supremacist ideology, including the phrase “14 words” and symbols associated with the SS, reflecting extremist beliefs.
The same grandmother also reported finding a note that listed the names of notable mass shooters along with their corresponding victim counts. Before his arrest, the boy allegedly expressed a desire to be “famous” and made references to the “14 words,” a slogan commonly associated with white supremacist groups.
Authorities noted that Pardo had been approached multiple times by law enforcement and child protective services regarding her son’s aggressive behavior. Following the boy’s return to Rhodes Middle School, school officials implemented a safety plan due to ongoing fears of potential targeted violence. Pardo is currently facing serious charges that could have significant repercussions for her and her family.
Pardo was released from Bexar County Jail after posting a bond set at $75,000. She is scheduled for her next court appearance on July 17, as the investigation into her son’s intentions and their implications continues to unfold.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
UTSA Announces Major Rebranding as UT San Antonio
Severe Flooding Forces Evacuation of Westernport Elementary School
Young Man Shot and Killed in Northeast San Antonio
Tense Standoff Ends with Arrest at San Antonio Apartment Complex
San Antonio Experiences Series of Tragic Incidents
Juvenile Arrested in Connection with Khadija Derry’s Murder
14-Year-Old Simon Cuevas Killed in San Antonio Shooting
Federal Investigation into Former Cybersecurity Chief
San Antonio Reels After Shocking Stabbing Incident
Tragic Incident Near San Antonio Airport: Investigation into David Powers’ Mysterious Death
Additional Resources
- KSAT News
- Wikipedia: San Antonio
- Express News
- Google Search: Ashley Pardo San Antonio
- San Antonio Current
- Google Scholar: School Violence Prevention
- News 4 San Antonio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mass Shooting Prevention
- KENS5
- Google News: San Antonio School Threat
