A Texas mother faces terrorism charges after buying ammunition and tactical gear for her 13-year-old son who planned a violent attack at his middle school while ignoring multiple warnings from authorities.
Key Takeaways
- Ashley Pardo, 33, has been charged with terrorism for enabling her son’s plans to commit violence at Rhodes Middle School by purchasing ammunition and tactical gear for him.
- The teen appeared at school in tactical gear before leaving campus and was later found with an improvised explosive device containing white supremacist symbols.
- Multiple authorities, including police and Child Protective Services, had previously warned Pardo about her son’s concerning behavior, which she reportedly dismissed.
- This marks a significant case under Texas’ 2023 legislation aimed at combating domestic terrorism through a specialized conviction registry.
- The charges echo a recent Michigan case where parents were convicted after their son carried out a school shooting, signaling a trend toward holding parents accountable.
Mother Allegedly Enabled Son’s Violent Plans
San Antonio authorities arrested 33-year-old Ashley Pardo after she allegedly purchased ammunition and tactical gear for her 13-year-old son who had expressed intentions to commit violence at Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School. Court documents reveal that Pardo provided these materials “with knowledge” they would be “used to plan and carry out” what police described as “acts of mass violence.” The teen attended school wearing tactical attire before promptly leaving campus, triggering immediate security concerns and leading to his apprehension off school grounds.
A family member later contacted police after discovering the boy hitting a live bullet with a hammer. A subsequent search uncovered an improvised explosive device adorned with white supremacist symbols and references to the Christchurch shooter. Authorities also found Nazi swastikas and other disturbing materials in the home, suggesting a pattern of extremist influences. The teen now faces terrorism charges through the juvenile justice system, while his mother remains free on a $75,000 bond with a pre-indictment hearing scheduled for July 17.
Ignored Warnings and Parental Negligence
Perhaps most troubling in this case is evidence that Pardo had received numerous warnings about her son’s behavior from school officials, law enforcement, and Child Protective Services. According to official statements, she consistently dismissed these concerns despite her son’s history of creating violent drawings and researching mass shootings. “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.
“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
Reports indicate that Pardo would provide her son with gun magazines and ammunition in exchange for babysitting services, effectively incentivizing his dangerous fascination. This disregard for safety persisted despite clear indications that her son might be planning violence. The school responded to the incident by conducting a thorough security sweep and increasing campus police presence, while Principal Felismina Martinez issued a statement reassuring parents of their commitment to student safety.
New Legal Precedent for Parental Responsibility
This case represents a significant application of a recently enacted Texas law aimed at combating domestic terrorism through a specialized conviction registry. Authored by Republican State Senator Phil King, the legislation was designed to give law enforcement better tools to identify potential threats before they materialize. Legal experts note that charging a parent in relation to a planned attack that was ultimately prevented is relatively rare and may signal a shift in how the justice system approaches parental responsibility.
“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, criminal defense attorney
Criminal defense attorney Michael Wynne observed that legal trends “are headed in this direction… because of the tragic consequences that can ensue if a parent continues to neglect their responsibilities.” This case draws immediate comparisons to the Michigan prosecution of Jennifer and James Crumbley, who were sentenced to 10 years for involuntary manslaughter after their son carried out a deadly school shooting. President Trump has consistently advocated for stronger preventative measures against school violence, including improved threat detection and greater accountability for those who enable potential attackers.
