A Texas mother traded her son’s babysitting services for the ammunition and tactical gear that he planned to use in a middle school massacre, landing her behind bars on terrorism charges.
Key Takeaways
- Ashley Pardo was arrested for buying ammunition and tactical gear for her son who plotted “mass targeted violence” at his San Antonio middle school
- The plot was foiled when the boy’s grandmother found live ammunition and a homemade explosive device, then alerted authorities
- Despite previous warnings from school officials and law enforcement about her son’s violent obsessions, Pardo allegedly supported his actions
- The boy had drawn a “suicide route” map of his school, researched mass shootings, and told his grandmother he was “going to be famous”
- This case joins a growing trend of parents being held legally accountable for their children’s violent actions or plots
Mother Enabled Son’s School Shooting Plot
Ashley Pardo faces serious charges after allegedly purchasing ammunition and tactical gear for her middle school-aged son who was planning an attack at Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio. According to police documents, Pardo was fully aware of her son’s violent intentions yet “intentionally and knowingly aided” his plan to commit terrorism. Investigators discovered that she purchased the materials in exchange for the boy providing babysitting services for his younger siblings, showing a disturbing transaction between mother and child.
The boy’s dangerous plans were uncovered when his grandmother found him in possession of live ammunition and a homemade explosive device. More alarmingly, the explosive had the name of an Australian mosque attacker from 2019 written on it, demonstrating the youth’s connection to previous mass casualty events. Before leaving for school, the boy told his grandmother he was “going to be famous,” a statement that prompted her immediate action to alert authorities before tragedy could strike the campus.
History of Warning Signs Ignored
School officials and law enforcement had previously identified concerning behavior from the boy. In January, he drew a “suicide route” map of his school and was later suspended for researching mass shootings on a school computer. Following this suspension, the boy attempted suicide the same day and was subsequently placed in an alternative school before returning to Rhodes Middle School in May. These red flags represent classic warning signs that experts have identified in potential school shooters.
“The juvenile expressed a fascination with mass shootings, and his mother bought him the bullet and tactical gear,” said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus. “She appeared to be dismissive and unconcerned with her son’s behavior.”
When confronted with her son’s activities, Pardo reportedly showed support rather than concern for his violent obsessions. This casual dismissal of such dangerous behavior represents a shocking failure of parental responsibility that endangers not just her child but potentially hundreds of other children and school staff. The prosecution alleges that Pardo’s actions put others “in further fear of serious bodily injury,” according to police documents.
Growing Accountability for Parents of Violent Youth
Pardo has been charged with aiding in the commission of terrorism and was released on bail with strict conditions, including GPS monitoring, home confinement, weekly drug and alcohol testing, and prohibition from possessing firearms. Her court date is set for July 17. Her son was detained off-campus and also faces terrorism charges after being investigated for concerning online posts that appeared to reinforce his violent intentions.
“Please know we take all potential threats seriously and act immediately to protect everyone in our care,” wrote Principal Felismina Martinez in a letter to parents after the incident.
This case reflects a growing national trend of holding parents accountable for their children’s violent actions or planned violence. It follows the landmark conviction of the parents of the Oxford High School shooter in Michigan, who were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for ignoring warning signs and providing their son with a firearm. Similarly, a Georgia father faced charges after his son killed four people. These prosecutions signal a shift toward expecting parents to take decisive action when their children show violent tendencies.
